STAND

STAND. COM. REP. 836

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 1579

H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1579, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to coordinate the State's efforts at economic diversification by establishing the Economic Diversification Authority (EDA) within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Specifically, this bill requires the EDA to, among other things:

(1) Create a vision and develop a long-range plan for economic diversification in Hawaii;

(2) Develop, coordinate, and implement state policies and directions for economic diversification and related activities;

(3) Conduct market development-related research as necessary;

(4) Work to eliminate or reduce barriers to economic diversification in the State;

(5) Establish a public information and educational program to inform the public about economic diversification;

(6) Foster increased collaboration and dialogue among the agencies represented on the board of directors of the EDA; and

(7) Submit annual reports of its activities and proposed legislation to implement its economic diversification plan to the Governor and Legislature.

The Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter, supported the intent of this

bill.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1579, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

		____________________________ DWIGHT Y. TAKAMINE, Chair