STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1071-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2291

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor & Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2291, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADVISORY BOARDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish advisory boards focused on workforce development for the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, and Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United.

Your Committee finds that as the State continues to identify workforce needs to promote a healthy local economy, coordination among the local business community, community partners, and other government agencies will be critical. Cultivating and growing the workforce in the agricultural, technology, and natural energy industries will support local food production, increase economic opportunities for local residents, and expand Hawaii's future workforce in areas of critical and future need.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau from the advisory boards focused on workforce development for the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation and Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) 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 Labor & Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2291, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2291, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Government Operations,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair