STAND. COM. REP. NO. 471

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 Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, 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 require the Governor to enter into negotiations with the United States Department of Energy to establish a national laboratory in Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Hawaiian Electric Companies; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the United States Department of Energy's national laboratories have served as the leading institutions for scientific innovation in the United States for more than seventy years. The national laboratories tackle the critical scientific challenges of our time, from combating climate change to discovering the origins of our universe, and possess unique instruments and facilities, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Your Committee further finds that establishing a national laboratory in Hawaii would strengthen the State's economy by attracting and retaining professionals in the science, technology, engineering, and math sectors and may assist the State in reaching its renewable energy goals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism 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 Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair