STAND. COM. REP. NO. 340

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 349

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology and International Affairs and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 349 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for the China-Hawaii Economic Council to further economic relations between China and Hawaii.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and one individual.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committees find that the establishment of a China-Hawaii Economic Council will provide an invaluable opportunity to further economic relations between China and Hawaii.  Your Committees further find that the collaboration will help to facilitate investment, increase tourism, and promote trade.

     Your Committees note that the recommended appropriation to establish the China-Hawaii Economic Council is $200,000 per fiscal year.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology and International Affairs and the Arts that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 349 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 Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology and International Affairs and the Arts,

________________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair