STAND. COM. REP. NO. 400

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 908

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. 908 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide greater clarity and effect to the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Small Business Regulatory Review Board; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaii Business League; Ocean Tourism Coalition; and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation and Hawaii Farm Bureau.

     Your Committee finds that the Small Business Regulatory Review Board provides oversight, guidance, and advocacy regarding regulations impacting small business in the State.  Your Committee finds that increasing the number of board members from nine to eleven is intended to alleviate quorum problems.  Your Committee further finds that adopting a more explicit definition of "small business" clarifies the powers of the Small Business Regulatory Review Board.

     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. 908 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