STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1226

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 1195

      S.D. 1

      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 Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1195, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ECONOMY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to enhance the ability of the State to plan and make decisions supporting the growth of science and technology industries in the state by:

(1)  Amending the reporting requirement under the Research and Statistics for Growth Industries Program, by requiring the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT)to annually report to the Legislature on the criteria used to measure the growth of Hawaii's emerging growth industries, instead of reporting on the impact of DBEDT's efforts on those industries; and

(2)  Amending the economic objectives and policies of the Hawaii State Planning Act to require planning to be directed toward developing and expanding businesses and activities in science, technology, and related emerging growth industries.

     The University of Hawaii and the Hawaii Science & Technology Council supported this bill.  The Office of Planning (OP) supported the intent of this measure and offered comments.  DBEDT provided comments on this bill.

     Your Committee has amended this bill as suggested by the OP by restoring language deleted from various economic policies and objectives of the Hawaii State Planning Act.  At the same time, your Committee has retained the new language emphasizing the State's science and technology industry policies and objectives.

     Technical, nonsubstantive amendments were also made for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1195, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1195, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair