STAND. COM. REP. NO.  440

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 1338

      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 Committee on Economic Revitalization & Business, to which was referred H.B. No. 1338 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to better prepare the youth of Hawaii for the challenges of working in the emerging industries of science and technology by appropriating funds for science, technology, engineering, and math education programs for students and instructors.

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.  The University of Hawaii submitted comments on the measure.

     Your Committee finds that the fields of scientific research and development, medical testing, specialty health care, technology manufacturing, and computer services are important emerging areas of future job growth.  It is critical that the State continue to diversify Hawaii's economy, by investing resources to ensure that the youth of the State are prepared to be leaders in these emerging and innovative fields, and that the educators of the State provide adequate instruction to the youth.

     Your Committee amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the appropriation on page 5, line 20, is "to support" the business/education internship and mentorship program;

     (2)  Changing the expending agency for this appropriation from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to the University of Hawaii to centralize STEM program management; and

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2112, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Revitalization & Business that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1338, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1338, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair