STAND. COM. REP. NO.  311

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 594

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business, to which was referred H.B. No. 594 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE MARITIME INDUSTRY GRANT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to enhance maritime productivity and workforce development in Hawaii by establishing a maritime industry grant program.

The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Pacific Shipyards, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism supported the intent of this measure.  The State Procurement Office provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2038, to facilitate further discussion; 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. 594, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 594, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair