Report Title:

High Technology Task Force

WHEREAS, Hawaii's high technology industry is growing, and Hawaii based companies are venturing and succeeding in several areas of high technology including telecommunications, electronic commerce, networking infrastructure and hardware, software development, and biotechnology; and

WHEREAS, the reach of high technology is beyond its industry as it improves the efficiency and effectiveness of other industries in Hawaii as well; and

WHEREAS, although there is progress in Hawaii's high technology industry, focus and cohesiveness of the State's efforts to promote Hawaii's high technology industry is required to ensure long-lasting success; and

WHEREAS, industry, government, and educational leaders must come together to develop clear goals and an implementation plan to further develop Hawaii's high technology industry; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, that there is created a Senate high technology task force that shall establish short-term and long-term goals to develop Hawaii's high technology industry, market Hawaii as conducive to high technology enterprises, and establish a specific implementation plan and timeline to accomplish the goals; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that by July 1, 2001, members of the task force shall be chosen by the chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall consist of at least one representative from each of the following groups: high technology trade organizations, business organizations, high technology legal professionals, high technology educational institutions, University of Hawaii, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, City and County of Honolulu, County of Hawaii, County of Maui, and County of Kauai; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate high technology task force shall submit a report of findings and recommendations, including recommended legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate and the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology.