All Roll Calls
Yes: 224 • No: 28
HawaiiSB 15712025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)SenateWALLET
RELATING TO TOURISM.
Sponsored By: Lynn DeCoite (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Exempts all positions filled by the Hawaii Tourism Authority within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism from the state civil service law. Amends the definition of "convention center facility" for purposes of chapter 201B, HRS, to clarify that the facilities must reflect a Hawaii sense of place. Designates the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors (Board) as an advisory board. Removes the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism as a member of the Board. Requires a member of the Board to represent a tourism-impacted entity. Provides that the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives each appoints a member of the Board. Makes the President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority a position appointed by the Board, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to report to the Governor. Amends the eligibility requirements to serve on the Board. Provides that the President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority's length of term of service shall be set by written contract by the Board. (CD1)
Hawaii Tourism AuthorityPositionsCivil Service ExemptionConvention CenterHawaii Sense of PlaceBoard of DirectorsPresident and CEOTOU, LAB, FIN
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Community partnerships protect Native Hawaiian culture
Hawaii’s visitor-industry policy now allows community partnerships to help protect Native Hawaiian cultural integrity. These partnerships aim to support care for land and cultural and natural resources. They can also help protect sensitive places from visitor traffic and, where appropriate, cultural knowledge and expressions. The law specifies no funding or direct household payment.
Tourism authority jobs leave civil service
Positions filled by the Hawaii Tourism Authority within the state business and economic development department are no longer covered by civil service. The law does not change the pay or benefits for these employees.
Tourism authority powers face new limits
The Hawaii Tourism Authority can use its listed powers unless another law says otherwise. The law removes the prior limit tying those powers to the chapter governing the authority. It does not specify a direct household payment, benefit, or cost.
Tourism board shifts to advisory role
The Hawaii Tourism Authority’s 12-member board now advises rather than makes policy. The Senate president and House speaker each appoint one member. The board must include a representative from Honolulu and each of the other three counties, at least six tourism-industry experts, a governor-appointed member with Hawaiian cultural expertise, and someone representing a tourism-impacted entity. The law removes the limit of three members from any one industry sector.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Lynn DeCoite
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Donna Mercado Kim
Democratic • Senate
Glenn Wakai
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/30/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 23 • No: 2
House vote • 4/30/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 44 • No: 6
Senate vote • 4/25/2025
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 4/25/2025
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....
Yes: 3 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 41 • No: 9
House vote • 3/28/2025
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 14 • No: 0
House vote • 3/18/2025
The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 5 • No: 1
House vote • 3/13/2025
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on LAB...
Yes: 41 • No: 6
House vote • 3/11/2025
The committee on TOU recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 23 • No: 2
Senate vote • 2/28/2025
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/6/2025
The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 3 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/6/2025
The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 4 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Act 132, 05/29/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1232).
5/29/2025SenateAct 132, on 05/29/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1232).
5/29/2025HouseReceived notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 821).
5/2/2025SenateEnrolled to Governor.
5/2/2025SenateReceived notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 888).
5/1/2025HousePassed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none).
4/30/2025SenatePassed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda voting no (6) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).
4/30/2025HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 04-25-25 at 4:30PM in Conference Room 411.
4/25/2025HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 04-25-25 at 5:15PM in Conference Room 411.
4/25/2025HouseConference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-25-25 5:15 PM; Conference Room 411.
4/25/2025SenateThe Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Aquino, Wakai, Kim, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
4/25/2025SenateThe Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Tam, Templo, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Sayama.
4/25/2025HouseReported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 216).
4/25/2025Senate48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25.
4/25/2025SenateForty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday 04-30-25.
4/25/2025HouseReported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 216) as amended in (CD 1).
4/25/2025HouseForty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 04-30-25.
4/25/2025HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 10:30AM in conference room 411.
4/24/2025HouseConference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-24-25 9:31AM; Conference Room 411.
4/23/2025SenateConference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-23-25 9:50AM; Conference Room 411.
4/22/2025SenateReceived notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 757).
4/21/2025SenateConference committee meeting scheduled for 04-22-25 10:03AM; Conference Room 411.
4/21/2025SenateHouse Conferees Appointed: Tam, Sayama, Templo Co-Chairs; Matsumoto.
4/17/2025HouseSenate Conferees Appointed: DeCoite Chair; Aquino, Wakai Co-Chairs; Kim, Fevella.
4/17/2025SenateReceived notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 829).
4/17/2025House
Bill Text
Bill Text
Original
SB1571_CD1
SB1571_HD1
SB1571_HD2
SB1571_HD3
SB1571_SD1
SB1571_SD2
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