Bill > SB986

This bill modifies provisions related to tourism emergencies and tourism funding in Hawaii by expanding the types of events that can trigger a tourism emergency declaration by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), removing specific references to world conflicts and economic crises while broadening the scope to include terrorist threats, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and other catastrophic events that could adversely affect Hawaii's tourism industry. The bill also reduces the minimum balance required in the Tourism Emergency Special Fund from $5 million to $3 million, which will be funded through allocations from transient accommodations tax revenues. The legislation ensures that any emergency response measures implemented by HTA will not negatively impact organized labor in tourism-related industries and removes a previous requirement for additional gubernatorial approval for actions during economic crises. These changes are designed to provide the Hawaii Tourism Authority with more flexibility in responding to potential tourism disruptions while maintaining fiscal responsibility and protecting workers' interests, with the provisions set to take effect on July 1, 2050.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=986&year=2026