STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1623-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   S.B. No. 1793

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 1793, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE NATURAL ENERGY LABORATORY OF HAWAII AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to streamline the operations of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) by exempting NELHA from certain administrative requirements.  These exemptions allow NELHA to:

     (1)  Communicate directly with the Governor and Legislature, instead of through the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT);

     (2)  Make all decisions regarding employment without the approval of DBEDT and in compliance with all applicable laws; and

     (3)  Purchase supplies, equipment, and furniture without the approval of DBEDT.

     The Hawaii Aquaculture Association testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Budget and Finance opposed this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1793, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair