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HI HB19
Bill
Status
Introduced
1/16/2025
Primary Sponsor
Adrian Tam
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AI Summary
- Abolishes the Hawaii Tourism Authority and replaces it with the Corporation for the Stewardship of Hawaii Tourism, a nonprofit destination stewardship organization that is not considered a state agency
- Creates a State Destination Stewardship Council with up to 20 voting members including island council chairs, tourism industry representatives, environmental and social advocacy representatives, and legislators, plus 6 ex officio nonvoting government members
- Establishes four Island Destination Stewardship Councils (Kauai, Maui Nui, Hawaii County, and Oahu) with 15-20 members each, responsible for developing long-term, periodic, and annual island destination stewardship action plans
- Shifts tourism management focus from marketing and increasing visitor numbers to "regenerative tourism" and "destination stewardship" that prioritizes net benefits to local communities, natural and cultural resources, and resident well-being
- Transfers existing tourism emergency special fund and convention center enterprise special fund balances to the new corporation, with the convention center enterprise special fund continuing to receive $11 million annually from transient accommodations tax revenues
Legislative Description
Relating To Tourism.
Tourism
Last Action
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
12/8/2025
Committee Referrals
Tourism1/21/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available