STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3027

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 3358

       H.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Economic Development and Taxation, to which was referred H.B. No. 3358, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGH TECHNOLOGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to support Hawaii's high technology industry by:

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to consult with the High Technology Development Corporation to plan for the establishment of a high technology park on Oahu, and work with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to identify public or private lands that may be acquired for the park; and

     (2)  Appropriating funds for infrastructure to build the park.

     Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the High Technology Development Corporation.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's technology and defense-related industries have shown strong growth and expansion potential, and the development of an "employment anchor" facility, such as a high technology park, may be the key to preparing Hawaii's current and future workforce for the challenges involved in high technology.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Taxation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 3358, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Taxation,

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair