Bill Text: HI HB649 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Tourism Special Fund; Natural Resources

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [HB649 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-HB649-Introduced.html

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Report Title:

Tourism Special Fund; Natural Resources

 

Description:

Transfers funds from the tourism special fund for conservation and restoration projects in east Maui.

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	649
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to natural resources.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hana, Maui is a frequent destination of tourists.  The trip to Hana from Kahului along the famed Hana Highway, is known for its winding curves and breathtaking views.  The road stretches fifty-two miles between the two towns and boasts more than fifty bridges, six hundred curves, and pristine beaches along one of the most dramatic coastlines in the State.  The legislature further finds that beautification projects for Hana promote tourism to Maui and the rest of the State by maintaining a destination sought after by visitors.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide funds from the tourism special fund to enable East Maui to eliminate invasive species, restore instream flows, and provide resources for additional conservation personnel.

     SECTION 2.  Section 237D-6.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  Revenues collected under this chapter shall be distributed as follows, with the excess revenues to be deposited into the general fund:

     (1)  17.3 per cent of the revenues collected under this chapter shall be deposited into the convention center enterprise special fund established under section 201B-8; provided that beginning January 1, 2002, if the amount of the revenue collected under this paragraph exceeds $33,000,000 in any calendar year, revenues collected in excess of $33,000,000 shall be deposited into the general fund;

     (2)  34.2 per cent of the revenues collected under this chapter shall be deposited into the tourism special fund established under section 201B-11 for tourism promotion and visitor industry research; provided that beginning on July 1, 2002, of the first [$1,000,000] $1,500,000 in revenues deposited:

         (A)  [Ninety per cent] $900,000 shall be deposited into the state parks special fund established in section 184-3.4; [and]

         (B)  [Ten per cent] $100,000 shall be deposited into the special land and development fund established in section 171-19 for the Hawaii statewide trail and access program; and

         (C)  $       shall be transferred to and expended by the department of land and natural resources; provided that the moneys shall only be used on east Maui projects for:

              (i)  Elimination of invasive species;

             (ii)  Restoration of instream flows; and

            (iii)  Additional department of land and natural resources division of conservation and resources enforcement positions;

          provided that of the 34.2 per cent, 0.5 per cent shall be transferred to a sub-account in the tourism special fund to provide funding for a safety and security budget, in accordance with the Hawaii tourism strategic plan 2005-2015; provided further that of the revenues remaining in the tourism special fund after revenues have been deposited as provided in this paragraph and except for any sum authorized by the legislature for expenditure from revenues subject to this paragraph, beginning July 1, 2007, funds shall be deposited into the tourism emergency trust fund, established in section 201B-10, in a manner sufficient to maintain a fund balance of $5,000,000 in the tourism emergency trust fund; and

     (3)  44.8 per cent of the revenues collected under this chapter shall be transferred as follows:  Kauai county shall receive 14.5 per cent, Hawaii county shall receive 18.6 per cent, city and county of Honolulu shall receive 44.1 per cent, and Maui county shall receive 22.8 per cent.

     All transient accommodations taxes shall be paid into the state treasury each month within ten days after collection and shall be kept by the state director of finance in special accounts for distribution as provided in this subsection."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2009.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________