STAND. COM. REP. NO.  907

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 1617

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1617 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to facilitate the growth and expansion of research efforts at the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH-Hilo).

     This bill establishes the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at UH-Hilo, to serve as the institutional focal point for the coordination of all undergraduate and graduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics mentorship programs and the integration of ongoing and future research projects.

     The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Kau-Keaau-Pahoa Complex Area of the Department of Education's Hawaii District, High Technology Development Corporation, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii, Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association, Inc., Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi, KTA Super Stores, Kurtistown 12-Mile Kumiai Association, East Hawaii Community Development Corporation, and two concerned individuals supported this bill.  The University of Hawaii and University of Hawaii Professional Assembly offered comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2020, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     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 H.B. No. 1617, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1617, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair