STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1120-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   S.B. No. 3053

      S.D. 2

      H.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 Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 3053, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS TEST SITES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support the development of unmanned aerial systems operations in Hawaii by:

     (1)  Establishing a Hawaii Unmanned Aerial Systems Test Site Advisory Board, as a subcommittee of the Hawaii Aerospace Advisory Committee, to oversee the planning and operation of the Hawaii Unmanned Aerial Systems Test Site;

     (2)  Establishing the position of Hawaii Unmanned Aerial Systems Test Site Chief Operating Officer within the University of Hawaii to manage the operations of the Hawaii Unmanned Aerial Systems Test Site; and

     (3)  Making an appropriation to staff and operate the activities of the Hawaii Unmanned Aerial Systems Test Site.

The University of Hawaii; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Transportation; state Department of Defense; Niihau Ranch LLC; and six concerned individuals supported the bill.  The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii submitted comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3053, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

ISAAC W. CHOY, Chair