Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Business and Economic Development and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1380 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Small Business Bill of Rights.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from The Hawaii Business League, the National Federation of Independent Business – Hawaii, and the Small Business Regulatory Review Board. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the Small Business Regulatory Review Board; and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Your Committees find that small businesses are an essential element in strengthening and diversifying Hawaii's economy and creating jobs. Your Committees find that the Small Business Bill of Rights provides a list of current rights to which small businesses are entitled in a single document. This measure is a positive step toward educating small business owners about their rights.

Your Committees have amended this measure by amending the provisions of section 2, paragraph (14) relating to the Office of the Ombudsman. Your Committees also have amended this measure by making technical, non-substantive amendments for the purposes of style and clarity.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Business and Economic Development and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1380, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1380, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.