Report Title:
Economic Diversification; DBEDT Duties
Description:
Requires the department of business, economic development, and tourism to develop and implement plans, programs, and initiatives to diversify the economy of the State.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
133 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the economic diversification authority.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the economy of Hawaii has traditionally relied on only a few industries. In recent decades, tourism has been the primary engine of economic growth. Economic diversity is essential for the sustained and healthy development of the State.
The legislature further finds that a clear need exists for improvement in strategic planning, efficiency of operations, and coordination in the State's efforts at economic diversification.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to explicitly and specifically enumerate the duties of the department of business, economic development, and tourism to identify and implement ways to diversify Hawaii's economy so that the department becomes the economic diversification authority for the State.
SECTION 2. Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§201- Economic diversification. (a) The department shall develop and implement plans, programs, and initiatives to facilitate the diversification of the State's economy to stimulate, encourage, and facilitate economic development in the State.
(b) The department shall:
(1) Create a vision and develop a long-range plan for economic diversification in Hawaii, including development, infrastructure, and educational issues;
(2) Develop, coordinate, and implement state policies and directions for economic diversification and related activities, taking into account the economic, social, and physical effects on the State;
(3) Develop and implement the state economic diversification plan, which shall be updated at least every three years, to promote and market the State as offering a desirable environment for economic development;
(4) Have a permanent, strong focus on the marketing and promotion of Hawaii as a state with a favorable and competitive business climate;
(5) Conduct market development-related research as necessary;
(6) Work to eliminate or reduce barriers to economic diversification in the State;
(7) Coordinate all agencies and cooperate with the private sector in economic diversification;
(8) Establish a public information and educational program to inform the public about economic diversification;
(9) Encourage the development of educational and other training and counseling programs that will enable residents of the State to take advantage of the opportunities provided by economic diversification;
(10) Explore ways to remove redundancies in the delivery of services to the public relating to economic diversification, including consolidating agencies to eliminate duplicative or outmoded functions and activities, to increase efficiency in the delivery of those services, enhance productivity, eliminate unnecessary regulation, cut costs, reduce public inconvenience, and realize significant long-term savings;
(11) Annually submit a report of activities and proposed legislation implementing the economic diversification plan to the governor and legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of each regular session; and
(12) Adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 as may be necessary to implement this section.
(c) In fulfilling its duties under this section, the department may actively consult, collaborate with, and seek the participation of:
(1) The various agencies attached to the department;
(2) The departments of education, labor and industrial relations, transportation, agriculture, and land and natural resources;
(3) The University of Hawaii and its various colleges and departments;
(4) Representatives from the United States Armed Forces; and
(5) Private sector industry representatives and potential partners."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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