STAND. COM. REP. NO. 967

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1327

       H.D. 1

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 H.B. No. 1327, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HIGH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the High Technology Development Corporation for the manufacturing development program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; High Technology Development Corporation; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Coffee Company; Kauai Island Brewing Company; Aloha Shoyu Company, Ltd.; Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc.; Oceanit Laboratories, Inc.; Meadow Gold Dairies; KYD, Inc., dba:  K. Yamada Distributors; Hawaii Fish Company; Maui Brewing Company; and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the High Technology Development Corporation is a key state agency that helps to develop and support the manufacturing industry in the State.  Due to its remote location, Hawaii must constantly work to lower the cost of consumer goods in the State while stimulating economic growth through exports of locally-made products.  Your Committee further finds that the manufacturing development program within the High Technology Development Corporation stimulates economic growth, increases development, and creates jobs related to Hawaii-made products.

     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 H.B. No. 1327, H.D. 1, 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,

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair