STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2404

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2419

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing and Technology and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 2419 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation to develop a sports-technology district and designate certain properties to be included in the district.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Stadium Authority and The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, and High Technology Development Corporation.

     Your Committees find that other cities have created hubs centered on sports and technology to foster innovation and facilitate economic growth.  A sports-technology district will encourage sports-technology companies to relocate to the district; promote building and facility reuse to create jobs and workforce housing options near Aloha Stadium; provide a variety of commercial, residential, and athletic options for a wide range of people; and inspire a community identity that promotes sports activity and technology.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting language to:

     (1)  Require the Stadium Authority to work with the High Technology Development Corporation, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Department of Education, and all other state agencies within a one-half mile radius of the proposed Aloha Stadium rail station to develop a regional plan for a sports-technology district; and

     (2)  Require the Stadium Authority to submit its plan, findings, and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing and Technology and the Arts that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2419, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2419, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing and Technology and the Arts,

____________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

____________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair