Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns, to which was referred S.B. No. 2540, S.D. 2, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to provide financial assistance to community-based entrepeneurs by appropriating an unspecified amount of funds to the Community-Based Economic Development program of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT).

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the County of Hawaii, Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network, a member of the Hawaii County Council, Hamakua Diversified Agricultural Association, Waimanalo Community Development Corporation, Native Pathfinders Institute, Inc., Nanakuli Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., Ocean View Community Association, Inc., Friends of Mokuleia, Inc., Community Works, North Shore Farms, Waialua Farmers Cooperative, Maunalaha Valley Community Association, Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development, Oahu Workforce Investment Board, Hilo Hamakua Community Development Corporation, Lahaina Town Action Committee, Hawaii Alliance for Arts Education, Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council, Bank of Hawaii, Ka'u Agro-Forestry Association, Na Po'e Hoa 'Aina, and two concerned citizens.

DBEDT supported the intent of this bill.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of style and clarity.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2540, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2540, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.