STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1039

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                

 

RE:    S.B. No. 891

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 891, S.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to examine the economic potential of legalizing gambling and gaming activities within the State.

 

     Specifically, the measure:

 

     (1)  Establishes a Tourism and Gaming Working Group within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and

 

     (2)  Requires the working group to submit a report to the Legislature.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Ironworkers Stabilization Fund, Boyd Gaming, and four individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Stop Predatory Gambling, HI Good Neighbor, Nation of Hawaii, and four individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Stadium Authority; Hawaii Tourism Authority; and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that gaming and gambling activities, when operated within a comprehensive policy framework, can lead to economic growth and provide a significant source of tax revenue.  Your Committee believes that the working group proposed by this measure will provide the Legislature with useful information to further consider such a framework.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 891, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair