STAND. COM. REP. NO. 614-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1974

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1974, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROCUREMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Small Business Assistance Initiative within the State Procurement Office, to consist of a Small Business Procurement Coordinator and Small Business Office, and to appropriate funds for this purpose.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, State Procurement Office, Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women, Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, and five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the State does not have a formal small business program or any collected metrics to assist the State Procurement Office in understanding the small business landscape in Hawaii. Addressing small business concerns must include the infrastructure and resources needed to understand and assist this unique community. Your Committee further finds that this measure provides a means to obtain vital data, which will enable responsible decision-making on any formal small business program moving forward.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1974, 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair