Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Business and Economic Development, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 273, H.D. 1, entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the United States Trade Representative to include a representative of the State of Hawaii in the membership of the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade and to designate that representative as the single point of contact for the State.

One member of the House of Representatives submitted testimony in support of this measure.

The Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade was established by the Trade Act of 1974 and advises the United States Trade Representative on pending trade agreements and their impacts on United States regional economies and state and local governments. The United States Trade Representative has extraordinary powers to negotiate and represent this nation's interest in trade agreements and disputes.

This measure helps to ensure that our State can voice its concerns regarding the establishment and maintenance of trade agreements that could impact our state economy. Your Committee finds that it is essential that our legislature is kept abreast of issues pending before the United States Trade Representative so that it can deliberate and weigh in on these important issues.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Business and Economic Development that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 273, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.