THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	575
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the hawaii tourism authority.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the COVID-19 pandemic provides the State the opportunity to rethink the way Hawaii is branded to the world and to include more Native Hawaiian perspective in the tourism industry.  The Hawaii tourism authority's goal is to honor and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture and community, and an additional voice for Native Hawaiians on the Hawaii tourism authority board of directors would help to accomplish this goal.  Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require at least two members on the Hawaii tourism authority board of directors to possess knowledge, experience, and expertise in the area of Hawaiian cultural practices.

     SECTION 2.  Section 201B-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  The authority shall be headed by a policy-making board of directors that shall consist of twelve members; provided that:

     (1)  The members shall be appointed by the governor as provided in section 26-34, except as provided by this section;

     (2)  The members shall include at least one representative each from the city and county of Honolulu and the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui;

     (3)  Three members shall be appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted for each appointment by the president of the senate, and three members shall be appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted for each appointment by the speaker of the house of representatives; provided that if fewer than three names are submitted for each appointment, the governor may disregard the list;

     (4)  At least six members shall have knowledge, experience, and expertise in the area of accommodations, transportation, retail, entertainment, or attractions, and at least [one member] two members appointed by the governor shall have knowledge, experience, and expertise in the area of Hawaiian cultural practices; provided that no more than three members shall represent, be employed by, or be under contract to any sector of the industry represented on the board;

     (5)  The governor shall make appointments to ensure the fulfillment of all requirements of paragraphs (2) and (4); provided that upon the occurrence of a vacancy subject to paragraph (3), the governor shall notify the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives of any unfulfilled requirements pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (4), and the president of the senate or the speaker of the house of representatives, as appropriate, shall submit nominees who fulfill those requirements; and

     (6)  No person who has served as a member of the board of directors of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau shall be eligible to sit as a member of the board of directors of the Hawaii tourism authority until at least two years have expired between the person's termination from service on the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau board and the person's appointment to the authority's board of directors."

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

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Hawaii Tourism Authority; Board of Directors; Members; Hawaiian Cultural Practices

 

Description:

Amends the composition of the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors to require at least two members, rather than one, to be appointed by the Governor who shall have knowledge, experience, and expertise in the area of Hawaiian cultural practices.

 

 

 

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