STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1559

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 121

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 121 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO ESTABLISH A TOURISM AND GAMING WORKING GROUP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish a Tourism and Gaming Working Group.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Aloha Hālawa District Partners LLC; Iron Workers Stabilization Fund; Boyd Gaming; and one individual.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, and three individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Aliʻi Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club, and ʻAiea Community Association.

Your Committee finds that under existing law, gaming, also known as gambling, is largely prohibited within the State. Since gaming activities operated within a comprehensive policy framework may lead to economic growth and provide a significant source of tax revenue, various legislation has been introduced in past legislative sessions to legalize gaming. Your Committee further finds that additional information, evaluated and prepared by stakeholders, is needed to properly consider a legalized gaming framework for the State. Your Committee concludes that having a Tourism and Gaming Working Group review past legislation, develop a comprehensive tourism gaming policy, examine the potential for gaming activities at the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, and access how gaming activities may support the work conducted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the Hawaii Tourism Authority would allow the Legislature to make informed decisions regarding future gaming legislation.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language to add one individual from Aloha Hālawa District Partners LLC, to be invited by the co‑chairperson of the Tourism and Gaming Working Group to participate in the working group; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 121, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 121, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism,

________________________________

LYNN DECOITE, Chair