STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2310

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2903

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 2903 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc.; Lanikai Brewing Company; Honolulu Beerworks; KYD, Inc.; Hyperspective; Kohola Brewery; First Commercial Kitchen, LLC; Maui Brewing Company; Hawaii Fish Company; Maui Soda and Ice Works, Ltd. dba Roselani Ice Cream; Kauai Island Brewing Company; The Tea Chest; Waikiki Brewing Company; DewPoint System, LLC; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaiian Craft Brewers Guild; Maui Wine, Ltd.; Big Island Brewhaus; KYD, Inc. dba: K. Yamada Distributors; Meadow Gold Dairies; Taps and Apps, LLC; Diamond Bakery; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Mana Up Labs, LLC; and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the manufacturing development program of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation has been assisting and supporting local businesses to effectively grow, develop, and compete in a highly globalized commercial and e‑commerce environment. Your Committee recognizes that given the location of Hawaii, businesses located here face an additional challenge of high costs of energy and shipping. Therefore, the continued support of the manufacturing sector in Hawaii benefits the economy by creating more jobs and allowing businesses to strive in a highly competitive market.

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. 2903 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