STAND. COM. REP. NO. 763

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1272

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1272, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to revise the formula for distribution of transient accommodations tax moneys deposited into the tourism special fund and to authorize a portion of those moneys to be used for invasive species prevention.

 

     Specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  Changes the base aggregate amount available for distribution from the tourism special fund to special funds to an unspecified amount;

 

     (2)  Changes the percentages of the base aggregate amount to be deposited into the state parks special fund and the special land and development fund to unspecified amounts; and

 

     (3)  Adds the pest inspection, quarantine, and eradication fund to the list of funds to receive moneys from the tourism special fund in an unspecified percentage.

 

     Your Committee received three written comments on this measure.  The written comments may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and, therefore, it is important to maintain the state parks and trails enjoyed by many of Hawaii's visitors.  In addition, the stability of Hawaii's ecosystems depends on the State's ability to guard against invasive species and eradicate destructive pests.  Your Committee believes that these programs, which help to maintain Hawaii's natural environment, are also crucial to the health of the tourist industry because they help maintain the natural beauty and unique ecology that makes Hawaii a popular destination for tourists, particularly in the burgeoning ecotourism market.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1272, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair