STAND. COM. REP. NO. 627

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 1402

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development & Business, to which was referred H.B. No. 1402, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY-BASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a subaccount within the Hawaii Community-Based Economic Development Revolving Fund for grants or loans for the Micro Enterprise Assistance Program on Hawaiian Home Lands to qualified native Hawaiians and qualified entities; and

(2) Appropriates funds for loans or grants for the Program.

The O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i testified in support of this measure. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of the Attorney General; Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations; and Department of Budget and Finance commented on this measure.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Department of the Attorney General each submitted written testimony on this measure that share a similar concern regarding language in the measure, which states that the moneys deposited into the subaccount shall consist of "revenues, income, and receipts derived from the Hawaiian home lands development program." The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Department of the Attorney General are in agreement that no such program exists under that name and suggest changing the wording to clarify the program intended.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1402, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Business,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair