STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2703

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2523

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2523 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to develop regional economic plans for each county for the purposes of job creation in rural and urban areas.

Specifically, this measure requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to:

(1) Develop regional economic plans for each county to provide jobs in rural and urban areas; and

(2) Work with the Department of Education and the University of Hawaii to develop educational pathways to meet specific industry needs.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure form the Department of Education, University of Hawaii System, and HawaiiKidsCAN.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committee finds that each region of the State requires a different economic strategy and a specific economic plan. By requiring the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to assess the needs of each region and work with the Department of Education and the University of Hawaii, the State can help to develop Hawaii's workforce and meet the needs of Hawaii's industries.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism has requested an appropriation of $500,000 to complete the studies required by this measure, as long as the appropriation does not replace or adversely impact the administration's priorities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2523, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2523, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair