REPORT TITLE:
High Technology


DESCRIPTION:
Creates a special assistant for technology in Governor's Office,
as focus for development of high tech industries and businesses
in Hawaii.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           747
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY.
 


BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the many aspects of
 
 2 the burgeoning high technology industry offer opportunities for
 
 3 Hawaii to develop a stronger and more diversified economic base.
 
 4 Industry experts project that within the next seven years, half
 
 5 of all business and consumer purchases will be done by computer.
 
 6 A year ago, that projection would have seemed unrealistic.  A
 
 7 year from now, it may prove to be a gross underestimate.  In
 
 8 either case it represents an opportunity for Hawaii.
 
 9      The legislature also finds that this "internet economy" is
 
10 only one aspect of the high technology industry.  Knowledge-based
 
11 industries such as astronomy and biotechnology, applied research
 
12 in agriculture and the health/wellness industry, and further
 
13 development of ocean and aquaculture businesses, also represent
 
14 technological opportunities for the State.
 
15      Over the years, the legislature has created a number of
 
16 state agencies charged with promoting the development of a
 
17 variety of industries, many of them interrelated.  The research
 
18 corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH); the high
 
19 technology development corporation (HTDC); the Pacific
 

 
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 1 international center for high technology research (PICHTR); the
 
 2 Hawaii information network corporation (Hawaii INC); the Hawaii
 
 3 strategic development corporation (HSDC); the natural energy
 
 4 laboratory of Hawaii authority (NELHA); various offices and
 
 5 divisions within the department of business, economic
 
 6 development, and tourism; and the University of Hawaii, as well
 
 7 as the statewide economic development boards -- all vie for
 
 8 funding and in many cases, provide duplicative services.
 
 9      The legislature believes that, while these agencies provide
 
10 valuable services, they lack focus and in some cases their
 
11 original missions have changed considerably.  The legislature is
 
12 also concerned that having so many agencies dedicated to similar
 
13 purposes is confusing and may actually hinder the development of
 
14 new businesses, as these new businesses are unsure where to turn
 
15 for information and assistance.  This is particularly true when a
 
16 potential business may cross lines, for example between research,
 
17 high technology applications, and marketing of the resulting
 
18 product.
 
19      The purpose of this Act is to gather these high technology
 
20 agencies, divisions, and offices under the coordination and
 
21 direction of a special assistant for technology.  The special
 
22 assistant for technology shall be placed within the office of the
 
23 governor, and shall have the authority to call upon the services
 

 
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 1 of the high technology agencies in order to carry out his or her
 
 2 duties.
 
 3      SECTION 2.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding
 
 4 a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
 
 5 follows:
 
 6      "§   -     Special assistant for technology.  (a)  There
 
 7 shall be in the office of the governor a special assistant for
 
 8 technology to be appointed by the governor without regard to
 
 9 chapters 76, 77, and 78.
 
10      (b)  The duties of the special assistant shall include, but
 
11 not be limited to:
 
12      (1)  Developing, coordinating, and implementing short- and
 
13           long-range state policies and directions to enhance the
 
14           development of high technology industries in Hawaii;
 
15      (2)  Coordinating all state high technology agencies while
 
16           developing a plan for reorganization or consolidation
 
17           of these agencies in the interests of greater
 
18           efficiency and cost effectiveness;
 
19      (3)  Advising the private sector in the development of high
 
20           technology activities and resources, and providing
 
21           technical or other assistance to private industry upon
 
22           request;
 
23      (4)  Creating, disseminating, and updating a listing of all
 

 
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 1           high technology assistance programs in the State and
 
 2           where they can be reached;
 
 3      (5)  Pursuing appropriate public-private sector business
 
 4           partnerships;
 
 5      (6)  Coordinating the State's promotion and marketing of the
 
 6           high technology industry, including a review of current
 
 7           marketing efforts;
 
 8      (7)  Arranging for the conduct of research through
 
 9           contractual services with the University of Hawaii or
 
10           any agency or other qualified persons;
 
11      (8)  Encouraging the development of educational, training,
 
12           and career programs in high technology industries; and
 
13      (9)  Performing other necessary or desirable functions to
 
14           facilitate the intent of this section.
 
15      (c)  In carrying out the duties of this section, the special
 
16 assistant for technology may utilize the services of the State's
 
17 high technology agencies, including those of the University of
 
18 Hawaii, as appropriate."
 
19      SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general
 
20 revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $       , or so much
 
21 thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 1999-2000, for the
 
22 special assistant for technology.
 
23      SECTION 4.  The sum appropriated shall be expended by the
 

 
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 1 office of the governor for the purposes of this Act.
 
 2      SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.
 
 3      SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 1999, and
 
 4 shall be repealed on June 30, 2004.
 
 5 
 
 6                           INTRODUCED BY:  _______________________