Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to work with international agencies, universities, and organizations to foster and initiate coordination, cooperation, and technology and research exchange on renewable energies, including wave energy. (HB34 HD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii must tap into the global network to develop sound and rational business and economic development policies, undertake energy development and management, and encourage development and promotion of industry and international commerce. Many international agencies, universities, and organizations already provide proven frameworks for international cooperation and information exchange, including efforts related to renewable energies.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of business, economic development, and tourism to work with international agencies, universities, and organizations to foster and initiate coordination, cooperation, and technology and research exchange on renewable energies, including wave energy.

SECTION 2. Section 201-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§201-2 General objective, functions, and duties of department. It shall be the objective of the department of business, economic development, and tourism to make broad policy determinations with respect to economic development in the State and to stimulate through research and demonstration projects those industrial and economic development efforts [which] that offer the most immediate promise of expanding the economy of the State. The department shall endeavor to gain an understanding of those functions and activities of other governmental agencies and of private agencies [which] that relate to the field of economic development[.] and work with international agencies, universities, and organizations to foster and initiate coordination, cooperation, and technology and research exchange on renewable energies, including wave energy. It shall, at all times, encourage initiative and creative thinking in harmony with the objectives of the department."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.