Bill Text: HI SCR158 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Concurrent Resolution 158 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Tour Operators; Regulation; LRB; Study

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-1)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2015-04-17 - Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Hashem, Ito, Say, Takumi excused (4). [SCR158 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2015-SCR158-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	158
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau to examine if and how other states regulate tour operators within their jurisdiction.

WHEREAS, tourism, which accounted for twenty one percent of the state economy in 2013, is the largest single contributor to Hawaii's gross domestic product; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the State to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii currently does not regulate the activities of tour and excursion groups soliciting residents or visitors; and

WHEREAS, there has been a rise in tour activity in state parks despite the closure of Sacred Falls State Park in 1999 due to a rockslide and resulting deaths; and

WHEREAS, in December 2014, two tour guides were charged for prohibited entry into closed areas within the Wao Kele O Puna Forest Reserve and the Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve and for engaging in illegal commercial activities on state-managed lands, including leading so-called "lava tours"; and

WHEREAS, in February 2015, another tour guide was charged with trespassing, reckless endangering, and conducting illegal commercial activities in a natural area reserve for leading a "lava tour" group in the Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve in Pahoa-Puna; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Land and Natural Resources imposes a fine of up to $5,000 for a first offense of entry into closed public lands; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to examine if and how other states regulate tour operators within their jurisdiction; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the examination include a review of the laws, policies, and procedures adopted by other states to regulate tour operators, if any; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2016; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.