STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1083

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1461

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1461 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCIENCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to direct the Governor to enter into negotiations with the United States Department of Energy to establish a national laboratory in Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.; Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that establishing a national laboratory in Hawaii would attract and retain skilled professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math and would further encourage innovation and collaboration in the public and private sectors.

Your Committee notes that a resolution will be introduced in the Legislature urging the United States Congress to increase the current cap on national laboratories.

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. 1461 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair