STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1131

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 909

       H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Higher Education and Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 909, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a Center for Commercialization at the University of Hawaii.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.

     Your Committees find that the Hawaii Innovation Initiative is a partnership between the University of Hawaii and local businesses to diversify the State's economy by building a thriving innovation, research, education, and training enterprise fueled by the University's plans to commercialize its research.  Your Committees further find that it is a matter of statewide concern to support the University of Hawaii's contributions to the economic health and diversification of the State by allowing the University to commercialize the intellectual property created by research at the University in a timely and efficient manner.  Your Committees note that this measure establishes the Center of Commercialization which will encompass grant development, commercialization, and innovation related programs to increase efficiencies and effectiveness that will foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem at the University of Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 909, H.D. 2, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology,

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair