STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1461

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 182

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 182, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE ENHANCED TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES AMONG MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AND ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR FINALIZATION OF THE PARTNERSHIP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to express support for the expected enhanced trade and investment opportunities following finalization and implementation of the regional free-trade agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

This measure also encourages Hawaii's congressional delegation and others to support negotiations to finalize the agreement.

     Your Committee finds that the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership regional free trade agreement, currently being negotiated among the United States, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam, will create jobs and promote job retention in Hawaii while increasing exports to the Pacific Rim region.

     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. 182, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair