THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1123

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to sports.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature find that, in 2007, sports business was a $213,000,000,000 industry in the United States.  In addition to spectator fees, the sports industry generates revenue in advertising, endorsements, media broadcast rights, and licensing.  Hawaii hosts no less than ten major national and international sporting events each year, including the NFL Pro-Bowl, Honolulu Marathon, Van's Triple Crown of Surfing, Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Molokai Hoe, X-Terra World Championship, Ford Ironman World Championship, EA Sports Maui Invitational, and the PGA Sony Open.

     In addition to regular yearly events, the State frequently plays host to various other spectator and participant events, including professional exhibition games, title fights, surfing contests, men's and women's professional golf tournaments, bill-fishing tournaments, and numerous amateur and youth-league sports.  Sporting events in Hawaii have a combined economic impact of over $200,000,000 each year.  This economic value is multiplied by the intangible value of broadcast coverage of many of these events in other markets that display Hawaii as an attractive vacation destination.

     The legislature further finds that spectator sports and participant sports is a complimentary industry to tourism, as a significant number of Hawaii's annual visitors travel here to watch or participate in a sporting event.  In addition to event admission fees, these visitors contribute to the economy through their purchases of lodging, meals, airfare, car rentals, entertainment, shopping, and other expenditures.  The legislature believes that there is significant room for growth in the Hawaii sports industry and that attracting more sporting events to use Hawaii as a venue will increase visitor arrivals and expenditures.  An office of sports development is needed to promote and market sports in Hawaii.

     The purpose of this Act is to create the office of sports development within the department of business, economic development, and tourism.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"PART   .  OFFICE OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

     §201-   Office of sports development; establishment.  (a)  There is established the office of sports development in the department of business, economic development, and tourism, which shall be headed by the director of the office of sports development.

     As used in this part, "director" means the director of the office of sports development.

     (b)  The director shall have knowledge and experience in sports marketing, promotion, and development.  The director shall be nominated and appointed by the governor without regard to chapter 76.

     (c)  The director shall hire staff necessary to carry out the purposes of this part.

     (d)  The director and employees of the office shall be included in any benefit program generally applicable to the officers and employees of the State.

     §201-   Powers and duties of the office.  The office of sports development shall be responsible for:

     (1)  Promoting, marketing, and developing the sports industry in Hawaii, including professional, amateur, and youth sporting events;

     (2)  Developing, coordinating, and implementing long-range state policies and directions for sporting events and related activities;

     (3)  Promotion of Hawaii, through a coordinated statewide, national, and international effort, as a place to hold and attend sporting events; and

     (4)  Any and all other activities necessary to carry out the intent of this part."

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2012.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Sports; Office of Sports Development

 

Description:

Creates the office of sports development within DBEDT.

 

 

 

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