STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1053-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   S.B. No. 2584

      S.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business, to which was referred S.B. No. 2584, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL SPACE CENTER FOR EXPLORATION SYSTEMS' PLANETARY SUSTAINABILITY TECHNOLOGIES INITIATIVE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to stimulate economic growth for the State and continue to develop the State's emerging aerospace sector by appropriating funds to support the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems' Planetary Sustainability Technologies Initiative with the State of California with certain stipulations, including matching fund requirements.

The Councilmember representing Council District 3 on the Hawaii County Council; JAMSS America, Inc.; International Ventures Associates; Ferraro Choi; and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; University of Hawaii at Hilo; Near Earth LLC; Shackleton Energy Company, Inc.; Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems; and two concerned individuals testified in support of the intent of this measure.

     Aerospace technology research and development is a rapidly growing industry that has vast potential, especially in light of the fact that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is working to improve technologies for sustaining human exploration for increasingly greater distances and durations beyond Earth.  Technological developments in the aerospace industry may also have widespread applications on Earth.  By engaging in applied research and development to demonstrate and evaluate these technologies, the State will not only leverage its unique geographical resources to significantly advance the frontiers of space, but also enable local developers to evaluate how these technologies could be adapted to promote near-term terrestrial applications statewide, as well as around the globe.

     Currently, legislation is pending in California that will appropriate funds to allow collaboration with the State of Hawaii to develop and promote self-sufficient technologies, with the goal of leveraging both National Aeronautics and Space Administration and private sector assets and expertise.  The funds appropriated in this measure will allow Hawaii to work in partnership with California to increase and accelerate the development of sustainable measures and strategies for energy efficiency, renewable energy development, water use efficiency, waste management, and sustainable construction.  Development of these technologies has the potential to provide new market and manufacturing areas for the State, further diversifying the State's economy.

     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 S.B. No. 2584, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading 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