HR 47: urging the Hawaii Tourism Authority to add a stipulation to its signature event program to require thirty percent of funds awarded through the program to be used to market events to out-of-state markets.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2026-03-12
Current Status:
In Progress
(2026-04-02: Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
This resolution urges the Hawaii Tourism Authority to add a rule to its Signature Event Program requiring grantees to spend 30 percent of awarded funds on marketing to out‑of‑state markets. It would affect events that receive Signature Event Program grants by directing more of that money toward promotion to visitors from outside Hawaii to help attract tourists.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
urging the Hawaii Tourism Authority to add a stipulation to its signature event program to require thirty percent of funds awarded through the program to be used to market events to out-of-state markets.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
47 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
urging the Hawaii Tourism Authority to add a stipulation to its signature event program to require thirty percent of funds awarded through the program to be used to market events to out-of-state markets.
WHEREAS, the Hawaii Tourism Authority's Signature Event Program provides funding that supports major events that showcase Hawaii's unique culture and advance the State's tourism objectives; and
WHEREAS, among the events supported by the Signature Event Program in 2025 were the 43rd Annual Pan-Pacific Festival, Hawaiʻi Food and Wine Festival, Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, 53rd Honolulu Marathon, and Hoops in Hawaii Classic; and
WHEREAS, these events typically have broad national and international appeal and can attract visitors and enhance the State's reputation as a premier destination; and
WHEREAS, under the Signature Events Program's program structure, grantees are not required to dedicate a portion of awarded funds toward marketing their events to out‑of‑state markets, and may instead use grant funds primarily for operational or local purposes; and
WHEREAS, requiring that a portion of funds awarded under the Signature Event Program be used for out-of-state marketing will help ensure that publicly funded events actively contribute to increasing visitor demand and strengthening Hawaii's visitor industry; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is urged to add a stipulation to its Signature Event Program to require thirty percent of funds awarded through the program to be used to market events to out-of-state markets; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
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OFFERED BY: |
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HTA; Signature Event Program Grants; Out-of-State Marketing
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Date
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Status
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| Apr 2, 2026 | Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Reported from TOU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1730-26), recommending referral to FIN. |
| Mar 31, 2026 | The committee on TOU recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Tam, Templo, Hussey, Yamashita, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ilagan. |
| Mar 27, 2026 | Resolution scheduled to be heard by TOU on Tuesday, 03-31-26 10:00AM in conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 18, 2026 | Referred to TOU, FIN, referral sheet 18 |
| Mar 16, 2026 | Offered |
| Mar 12, 2026 | To be offered. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Mar 31, 2026 | The committee on TOU recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Tourism |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 31, 2026 | HR47_TESTIMONY_TOU_03-31-26_.PDF |
Bill Author
