Bill Text: HI SB488 | 2013 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Hawaii Tourism Authority; Grants

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-02-08 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM. [SB488 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2013-SB488-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 139

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 488

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 488 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Hawaii Tourism Authority to disburse grants for the development of visitor industry products and programs.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Tourism Association.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is encouraged to enter into contracts and agreements for the development of visitor industry products and programs.  In 2012, the Hawaii Tourism Authority provided support for 24 major festivals and events, 104 county enrichment programs, and 20 community projects that improved visitor experiences.  Although currently procured through contracts, your Committee finds that the funds provided to these events and programs would be more appropriately characterized as grants.  Along with less paperwork, grants will allow community organizations to receive funds for programs upfront, as opposed to backend payments pursuant to contracts.  Providing the Hawaii Tourism Authority with grant authority will allow both parties to better characterize the agreement and reduce the administrative burden to the community organizations providing these important programs.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 488 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

		____________________________ BRICKWOOD GALUTERIA, Chair