STAND. COM. REP. NO. 220-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2715

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development & Business, to which was referred H.B. No. 2715 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY GRANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for the Research and Technology Grant Program to be administered by the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Oceanit; Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc.; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee recognizes the importance of fostering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in the public education system from grade school through the university level and beyond. However, each year many residents leave Hawaii for STEM careers across the United States and other countries. Your Committee finds that educational efforts must be matched with initiatives to foster jobs in research and technology, as research and technology are the core of innovation and the critical first step in a product development cycle. Your Committee further finds that innovation is essential for creating new jobs in the high technology sector; keeping the State competitive globally; creating new and better STEM jobs for Hawaii's residents; and creating a resilient economy. This measure will support research and development by providing grants to qualified research and technology companies in Hawaii for eligible projects that will foster STEM education and involve participation from the State's students.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2112, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 2715, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2715, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Lower & Higher Education.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair