Bill Text: HI HB960 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Tourism Emergency; Hawaii Tourism Authority; Research and Statistics
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)
Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [HB960 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2010-HB960-Introduced.html
Report Title:
Hawaii Tourism Authority; Tourism Emergency
Description:
Broadens definition of "tourism emergency" and provides for plans and programs to address them.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
960 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the hawaii tourism authority.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. In 2007, the legislature, cognizant of the impact world events may have on the flow of tourists to our State, created the tourism emergency trust fund as a mechanism to protect our visitors and residents in the event of national disasters, terrorist threats, and other catastrophic emergencies. Act 201, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, also directed the Hawaii tourism authority to prepare and implement response measures when a substantial interruption in the State's tourism industry is threatened. The legislature finds that tourism emergencies occur from many causes not originally contemplated by Act 201. A weakening national economy, recession, and credit market crisis may not meet the standard of a catastrophic event, making it difficult for the tourism authority to address these issues under current law.
The purpose of this Act is to broaden the definition of a "tourism emergency" to reflect its unpredictable nature, providing the tourism authority flexibility in planning and programming for a wide variety of forces that impact Hawaii's largest industry.
SECTION 2. Section 201B-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:
""Tourism emergency" means the occurrence of an event or condition, regardless of when or where it occurs, that adversely affects Hawaii's tourism industry by resulting in a substantial interruption of commerce in the State and adversely affects the welfare of the people of the State."
SECTION 3. Section 201B-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§201B-9[]]
Tourism emergency. (a) [If] When the board determines that [the
occurrence of a world conflict, terrorist threat, natural disaster, outbreak of
disease, or other catastrophic event, regardless of when or where it occurs,
adversely affects Hawaii's tourism industry by resulting in a substantial
interruption in the commerce of the State and adversely affecting the welfare
of its people, the board shall submit a request to the governor to declare that]
a tourism emergency exists[.], the board shall execute a plan or
program developed pursuant to subsection (b) to provide emergency relief.
(b) [Upon declaration by the governor that
a tourism emergency exists pursuant to subsection (a), the] The
authority shall develop [and implement measures] plans and programs
to respond to [the tourism emergency,] tourism emergencies, including
[providing assistance to tourists during the emergency; provided that any
tourism emergency response measure implemented pursuant to this subsection
shall not include any provision that would adversely affect the organized labor
force in tourism-related industries.]:
(1) Execution of necessary strategies to provide assistance to victims of the emergency and to protect the health and safety of the victims;
(2) Coordinating the activities of public and private organizations that may be mobilized to provide assistance during the emergency;
(3) Execution of programs to respond to economic downturns with carefully targeted strategies designed to sustain Hawaii's visitor industry;
(4) Expediting the procuring of supplies, equipment, and services in light of the exigencies of the emergency as part of a relief plan or program; and
(5) Executing a public information strategy as part of a relief plan or program."
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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