Appropriates funds for the general operating budget for the Hawaii small business development center.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The Hawaii small business development center network is a partnership program between the United States Small Business Administration and the University of Hawaii at Hilo. The program is beginning its sixteenth year in Hawaii and is part of a twenty-five-year-old national program that exists in all fifty states and the territories of the United States. The Hawaii small business development center network is partially funded by the United States Congress through the Small Business Administration. Under this program, as established, the State of Hawaii must match federal dollars on no less than a one-to-one basis. This state match then creates the Hawaii small business development center network, which subsequently is able to attract other federal grants. Since 1994, over $29,000,000 in federal funds have been brought into Hawaii by the Hawaii small business development center network.

The Hawaii small business development center network provides quality and effective programs to eligible individuals to increase entrepreneurial knowledge and skills by providing consulting and training and other services to the general public.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $637,167, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to the Hawaii small business development center network for the following purposes:

Program Costs

Personal services $ 91,752

Other current expenses 545,415

Total Operating Costs 637,167

Means of Financing

General Fund $637,167

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii small business development center network for the purposes of this Act; provided that no funds appropriated under this Act shall be expended unless matched by the federal government on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July l, 2006.