Bill Text: HI HB2164 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 2164

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Regenerative Tourism.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-24 - Referred to TOU, FIN, referral sheet 2 [HB2164 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB2164-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2164
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to regenerative tourism.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the adverse effects of traditional tourism on Hawaii's ecological and cultural landscape have contributed to environmental degradation and cultural dilution. There is an urgent need to shift towards a tourism model that actively contributes to environmental restoration, cultural integrity, and economic resilience within the local community.

The legislature further finds that regenerative tourism can prevent and mitigate environmental disasters, including limiting coastal erosion, reducing reef dieback, and helping to prevent wildfires by promoting sustainable environmental practices.

The legislature also finds that addressing economic challenges in Hawaii, particularly the high cost of living and operation, emphasizes the need for substantial startup support.

The legislature commits to transforming the State's tourism sector into a regenerative, sustainable model that benefits the local community, setting a precedent for sustainable tourism development worldwide.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish Lahaina, Maui, as a leader in regenerative tourism, promoting a model that is environmentally sustainable, culturally enriching, and economically beneficial, with scalability for statewide application in Hawaii.

SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

regenerative tourism

§ -1 Definitions. For purposes of this chapter:

"Department" means the department of business, economic development, and tourism.

"Environmental disaster mitigation" means strategies to reduce the impact of natural disasters, that focus on environmental and community protection, and that adopt the recommendations of the Hawaii emergency management agency regarding creating an initial plan for the local community response.

"Local community" includes residents and indigenous groups in and around the area of the member.

"Member" means a business accepted for membership in the program under -2(b) and in good standing with the program.

"Program" means the regenerative tourism program established under -2(a).

"Regenerative tourism" means tourism practices that contribute to the restoration and enhancement of local ecosystems, adhere to sustainable practices, respect and preserve local culture, and support the local community.

"Sustainable practices" means methods ensuring the long‑term sustainability of natural and cultural resources based on input from the local community, input from cultural practitioners, and historical information.

§ -2 Regenerative tourism program; established. (a) There is established the regenerative tourism program within the department. The purpose of the program shall be to help restructure the tourism industry to support regenerative tourism.

(b) The department shall accept for membership into the program any business that satisfies the following requirements:

(1) A principal owner of the business has been a resident of Hawaii for not less than ten years;

(2) The business enters into a community benefit agreement;

(3) The business demonstrates cultural integration and engagement by ensuring that Hawaiian cultural values are integrated into the business's operation and services;

(4) Is in good standing with the department; and

(5) Any other requirement specified by the department.

(1) Provide mentorship, training, and resources to members;

(2) Assist members to provide their customers with a sustainable and culturally aware tourism experience;

(3) Assist members to develop and implement environmental disaster mitigation;

(4) Assist members to develop and implement environmentally friendly practices and disaster resilience;

(5) Include the names of the members on the department's tourism website;

(6) Encourage each member to advertise membership in the program in the member's promotional materials; and

(7) Allow members to apply for grants from the regenerative tourism grant program.

§ -3 Regenerative tourism grant program. (a) There is established within the program the regenerative tourism grant program. Grants shall be awarded from funds in the regenerative tourism special fund and shall be subject to available funds. Grants shall be awarded on a one-to-one basis for each dollar contributed by the member, subject to the maximum amounts established by this section.

(b) The program shall award initial grants to members who present a business plan that would help the member implement regenerative tourism. The maximum initial grant to each member shall be $10,000.

(c) Five years after an initial grant to a member, the program shall award an expansion grant to a member if the member demonstrates adherence to regenerative tourism and a fifty per cent increase in business, compared to the year of the application made in subsection (b). The maximum expansion grant to each member shall be $15,000.

§ -4 Regenerative tourism special fund. (a) There is established within the department the regenerative tourism special fund into which shall be deposited the following moneys:

(1) Appropriations by the legislature to the special fund; and

(2) Gifts, donations, and grants from public agencies and private persons.

(b) All interest earned or accrued on moneys deposited in the fund shall become part of the fund. The fund shall be administered by the department.

(c) Subject to legislative authorization, the department may expend moneys from the fund for the regenerative tourism grant program and to cover administrative and operational costs of the program."

SECTION 3. In accordance with section 9 of article VII, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ , or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that the appropriations made in this Act are necessary to serve the public interest and to meet the needs provided for by this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for deposit into the regenerative tourism special fund.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the regenerative tourism special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the regenerative tourism program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall implement the regenerative tourism program on a phased basis starting in an area that sustained not less than an estimated $1,000,000,000 in damages from wildfires during 2023.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Regenerative Tourism; DBEDT; Program; Grant; Appropriation; General Fund Expenditure Ceiling Exceeded

Description:

Establishes the regenerative tourism program with the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to increase regenerative tourism. Establishes a grant program. Appropriates moneys. Declares that the appropriation exceeds the state general fund expenditure ceiling for 2024-2025.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.