STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1573-14

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 Finance, 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 Hawaii Unmanned Aerial Systems Test Site.

The Department of Transportation; Department of Defense; University of Hawaii; Niihau Ranch; International Ventures Associates; three members of the Hawaii Aerospace Advisory Committee; and two concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; University of Hawaii at Hilo; and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii commented on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance 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 pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair