STAND. COM. REP. NO.  279

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 555

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business, to which was referred H.B. No. 555 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to promote smart growth in Hawaii by establishing a state smart growth infrastructure policy by requiring state agencies involved in the planning, development, and financing of public infrastructure to:

     (1)  Consider smart growth criteria prior to the approval or financing of any public infrastructure project;

     (2)  Attest in writing to the fact that a proposed project meets smart growth criteria or otherwise provide a statement of justification; and

     (3)  Create a smart growth advisory committee to advise the agency and communicate with organizations and communities affected by proposed projects.

The Department of Accounting and General Services, The Queen's Health Systems, and the Windward Ahupua‘a Alliance provided comments on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Removing the Department of Accounting and General Services from the list of state agencies governed by the state smart growth infrastructure policy; 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 Economic Development & Business that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 555, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 555, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair