Report Title:

International Equestrian Training Facility; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the governor to convene an international equestrian facility working group to analyze issues related to the establishment, operation, and maintenance of a state of the art Olympic-quality equestrian facility on Oahu to provide services and facilities to local residents, mainland visitors, and international visitors; appropriates $50,000.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3212

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the development of an international equestrian facility.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the development of a multi-purpose equestrian facility would enhance the State's economy by stimulating tourism and attracting venture capital to Hawaii. The legislature envisions an equestrian facility for local, national, and international use that has state of the art facilities, including an extensive stable and training complex with an Olympic-quality track, farrier training, veterinarian medicine, animal husbandry, and medical care, among other features of education. Such a world-class facility could be used by international riders and trainers in various events to achieve their Olympic and other competitive dreams.

In addition, residents and visitors alike could have use and take advantage of the facility for boarding, horse and rider training, and competitions. Future programs could provide day trips and summer camps to mentor disabled children and at-risk youths at dormitories to benefit from interaction with horses. In addition to bringing revenues into Hawaii, the facility would provide employment opportunities, including for the disabled, at-risk youth, and adults in transition, an opportunity for local farmers to provide feed for the horses, as well as a number of other benefits and opportunities for the State and residents. The legislature finds that our temperate climate and mid-Pacific location make Hawaii a logical and desirable location for a state-of-the-art international equestrian facility for international use.

SECTION 2. (a) The governor shall convene an international equestrian facility working group that represents both public and private interests and concerns. The public members shall include representatives of the department of business, economic development, and tourism; University of Hawaii; the department of land and natural resources; the department of agriculture--animal industry division; and the city and county of Honolulu. Private sector members shall be representative of all stakeholders in the equestrian community of the State. The private sector members shall select the chair of the working group and the department of business, economic development, and tourism shall provide staff and support services to the working group.

(b) The working group shall consider issues that include:

(1) An examination of appropriate potential sites for the facility, including the status of state- or county-owned lands and roads, and the possible use of eminent domain to acquire land;

(2) An analysis of the most appropriate form of funding, ownership, management, maintenance, and operation of the facility, including state, private, and joint public-private organization;

(3) An estimate of the total cost of construction, management, maintenance, and operation of the facility;

(4) Proposals for funding the facility, including public, private, and share public-private funding;

(5) An estimate of the number of jobs that may be created or displaced;

(6) The extent of community support at potential sites; and

(7) Any other related issues not described in this Act.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $50,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, to study the feasibility and to develop plans for the establishment and operation of state-of-the-art international equestrian facility in Hawaii.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of the governor for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________