STAND. COM. REP. NO. 344

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1306

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 1306 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish an Office of Public-Private Partnership within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association.

     Your Committee finds that public-private partnerships are an effective strategy for economic development.  An Office of Public-Private Partnership within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism would help identify and implement various public-private projects across the State and stimulate growth in various industries including tourism, film, agriculture, energy, technology, and innovation.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1306 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair