STAND. COM. REP. NO. 8

                                Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                  , 1999

                                RE:  S.B. No. 976
                                     S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

   Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was
referred S.B. No. 976 entitled: 

   "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS,
   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM,"

begs leave to report as follows:
   
   The purpose of this measure is to create a construction
industry branch within the Department of Business, Economic
Development, and Tourism (DBEDT).

   Your Committee received testimony in support of the concept
of this measure from DBEDT.

   Your Committee finds that the construction industry is a
vital industry that has been most affected by Hawaii's current
economic problems.  Because it is closely tied to investment, the
industry is extremely important, affecting not only our present
economic wellbeing, but our capacity for future growth as well.

   Your Committee also finds that the size of the construction
industry fluctuates widely, and that data regarding the state of
the industry is becoming increasingly difficult to determine on a
timely basis.

   Your Committee believes this measure will provide DBEDT with
the authority to enhance their research, promotion, marketing,
and support of this vital industry.


 
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                                STAND. COM. REP. NO. 8
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   Your Committee has amended this measure to address the
concern of DBEDT that the monitoring, investigation of
complaints, and enforcement is beyond the scope of the
department, by deleting references to those activities.  Your
Committee has also made a technical, nonsubstantive amendment.

   As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of S.B. No. 976, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass
Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 976,
S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

                                Respectfully submitted on
                                behalf of the members of the
                                Committee on Economic
                                Development,



                                ______________________________
                                LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

 
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