STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2885

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2088

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2088, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADVANCED FLIGHT SIMULATOR TRAINING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to allow businesses engaged in commercial aviation training for pilots, dispatchers, mechanics, or traffic controllers to be eligible to participate in the state enterprise zone partnership program.

     More specifically, the measure expands the definition of "qualified business" under the state enterprise zone law to include businesses engaged in advanced flight simulator training for pilots, dispatchers, mechanics, or air traffic controllers.

     Testimony in support of the measure was received from two private citizens.  The Department of Taxation, the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and the University of Hawaii System submitted comments.

     Your Committee finds that this measure provides an incentive for the private sector to invest in expensive flight training materials and equipment needed by flight schools, which is an investment that should, in turn, make training more available and affordable for prospective students.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2088, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair