STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3528

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 96

       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.C.R. No. 96, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE STATE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PROGRAM, PERFORMANCE, AND FINANCIAL AUDIT OF THE NATURAL ENERGY LABORATORY OF HAWAII AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Auditor to conduct a program, performance, and financial audit of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority and to submit a report of findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

     Comments in support of this measure were submitted by the Hawaii Aquaculture Association.

     Your Committee finds that this measure would help to resolve questions about the public accountability of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.  In addition, your Committee is hopeful that the findings and recommendations of the Auditor will help the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority identify ways to improve their fiscal viability.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 96, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair