STAND. COM. REP. NO.  452

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 526

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Economic Revitalization & Business and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources, to which was referred H.B. No. 526 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGH TECHNOLOGY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to support the establishment of a high technology park in the State by:

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to work with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to identify appropriate lands on Oahu that may be acquired for a high technology park;

     (2)  Requiring DBEDT to consult with the High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) to plan for the establishment of the high technology park, including provisions for HTDC to manage and oversee the park's operations in cooperation with other government agencies and private entities; and

     (3)  Appropriating funds for costs related to the infrastructure for the high technology park.

     DBEDT, University of Hawaii, HTDC, Office of the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu (C&CH), Hawaii Technology Development Venture, and a concerned individual supported this bill.  DLNR opposed this bill.

     Your Committees note that concerns were raised by DLNR regarding the strain that may be imposed by this measure on its limited staffing and resources.  Your Committees respectfully request your Committee on Finance to review the level of involvement that may be required of DLNR under the provisions of this bill.  In addition, noting its potential to serve as a focal point for high technology, your Committees respectfully request consideration of West Oahu as a suitable location for the high technology park. 

     Your Committees recognize the efforts already undertaken by the C&CH to support and plan for high technology infrastructure on Oahu.  

     Therefore, your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring DBEDT to work with the C&CH in identifying appropriate lands for the high technology park and in planning for the establishment of the high technology park;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2112, to encourage further discussion; and

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

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Revitalization & Business and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 526, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 526, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Revitalization & Business and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources,

____________________________ JERRY L. CHANG, Chair

____________________________ ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair