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.

This House Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Tourism Authority to modify its Signature Event Program by requiring 30% of awarded grant funds to be spent on marketing events to visitors from outside Hawaii. The bill directly affects the Hawaii Tourism Authority and organizations that receive funding for major state events like the Honolulu Marathon and Hawaii International Film Festival. Under current rules, grant recipients can use funds for operational costs without a specific requirement to promote events to out-of-state audiences. The resolution seeks to ensure that publicly funded events actively contribute to attracting more visitors from other states and countries.