STAND. COM. REP. NO.1170
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2003
RE: H.B. No. 1579
H.D. 1
S.D. 1
Honorable Robert Bunda
President of the Senate
Twenty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2003
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Economic Development and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 1579, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION AUTHORITY,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to establish the Economic Diversification Authority within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for administrative purposes, to identify ways to diversify Hawaii's economy by:
(1) Developing and implementing an economic diversification plan;
(2) Increasing government efficiency and cost savings; and
(3) Annually proposing legislation relating to economic diversification.
Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the County of Hawaii. The High Technology Development Corporation submitted testimony in support of the intent of this measure.
Your Committees find that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) is tasked with supporting businesses, creating jobs, and improving Hawaii's standard of living through diversifying the economy, expanding existing business, and attracting new economic activity. Your Committees believe that, rather than expending scarce resources in creating another layer of bureaucracy, it is more fiscally prudent to clarify the authority and responsibilities of DBEDT to diversify the State's economy.
Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting new language clarifying the authority and duties of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to diversify the State's economy. As amended, this measure:
(1) Requires DBEDT to develop and implement plans, programs, and initiatives to facilitate the diversification of the State's economy in order to stimulate and encourage economic development in the State;
(2) Enumerates specific duties to be undertaken by DBEDT;
(3) Provides that DBEDT may actively consult and collaborate with the various agencies attached to DBEDT, other state agencies, the University of Hawaii, representatives of the various services of the United States Armed Forces, and private sector industry representatives and potential partners; and
(4) Requires DBEDT to include a summary of activities pursued to diversify the State's economy in its annual report to the Legislature.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1579, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1579, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations,
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____________________________ CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair |
____________________________ CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair |
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