HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	116
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO convene A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY the feasibility of operating casino gaming facilities on commercially zoned land under the department's jurisdiction.

 

 

 

        WHEREAS, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands was established by the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act as a homesteading program to benefit Native Hawaiians; and

 

        WHEREAS, more than twenty-eight thousand Native Hawaiians are currently on the waiting list for homestead leases; and

 

        WHEREAS, the cost of infrastructure development is more than $150,000 per homestead lot, in addition to maintenance and utilities upkeep costs for existing lessee communities; and

 

        WHEREAS, at present funding levels, it is estimated that it will take the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands more than one hundred years to provide homestead leases to all of its beneficiaries; and

 

        WHEREAS, the operation of casino gaming facilities on commercially zoned land under the jurisdiction of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has been proposed as an additional source of revenue for the Department; now, therefore,

 

        BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is requested to convene a working group to study the feasibility of operating casino gaming facilities on commercially zoned land under the Department's jurisdiction as an additional source of revenue; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to include the following members:

        (1)   The Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission or the Chairperson's designee;

 

        (2)   The Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism or the Director's designee;

 

        (3)   The Director of Health or the Director's designee;

 

        (4)   The Director of Human Services or the Director's designee;

 

        (5)   The Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Hawaiian Tourism Authority or the Chairperson's designee;

 

        (6)   A member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate;

 

        (7)   A member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

 

        (8)   A community member with experience operating a casino gaming facility, chosen jointly by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group 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 2022; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Director of Health; Director of Human Services; and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

DHHL; Gaming; Working Group