Requires the department of business, economic development, and tourism to establish, maintain, and post on the Internet a list of projected state and county construction projects. Makes appropriation.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii is undergoing an estimated $10 billion boom in new construction. In such an environment, the installation of oversight mechanisms is imperative to ensure the most efficient commitment of state resources, and the most successful long-term forecasting. One useful oversight mechanism would be a centralized internet listing of projected government construction projects.

The legislature further finds that one of the primary responsibilities of the department of business, economic development, and tourism is to conduct research and promote informational programs concerning industrial and land development in the State. The department is the logical entity to gather information and produce a centralized electronic listing of statewide construction projects. The department will collect construction project information from all state departments and county government agencies that have construction projects, including the following departments: accounting and general services, agriculture, defense, education, Hawaiian home lands, transportation, and the University of Hawaii.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a comprehensive list on the Internet of all projected construction projects by state and county government agencies, which will be updated quarterly by the department of business, economic development, and tourism. This Act makes an appropriation to the department to create and maintain this listing.

SECTION 2. Section 201-13.8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§201-13.8 Data or information collection. (a) The director, in consultation with all affected governmental agencies, shall assess the need for statistics and other information as to the number, characteristics, needs, and movement of people into, out of, or within Hawaii, including residents, migrants, and visitors, and such other information as the director may deem necessary, for the purposes of sound economic research and analysis. The director shall be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating such information to governmental agencies on a timely basis, and is authorized to use any appropriate method to collect the information, including but not limited to conducting an entry and exit census or survey of all individuals entering, leaving, or living within the State, and obtaining data or information acquired by other agencies, both public and private. All governmental agencies shall cooperate with and assist the director to implement this section.

(b) The department shall collect, analyze, and disseminate information on a timely basis about projected construction projects of all state departments and county government agencies which have construction projects, including the departments of accounting and general services, agriculture, defense, education, Hawaiian home lands, and transportation, and the University of Hawaii. A comprehensive list that includes all the projected construction projects from all state departments and county government agencies shall be produced and maintained by the department, posted on the Internet, and updated quarterly.

[(b)] (c) To the extent that it is identifiable to an individual, information obtained by the department or its agents through surveys, questionnaires, or other information gathering efforts shall be held confidential and not disclosed or opened to public inspection, except that such information may be shared with other government agencies as provided in section 92F-19.

[(c)] (d) Public disclosure of information gathered by the department could place businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Consequently, where disclosure would result in the impairment of the department's ability to obtain such information and the frustration of a legitimate government function, the department may withhold from public disclosure competitively sensitive information including:

[(d)] (e) The director may adopt necessary rules pursuant to chapter 91, to administer this section."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.