STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1773

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 437

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 437, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OUT-OF-STATE OFFICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the establishment of an out-of-state office in the Republic of the Philippines.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Oahu Filipino Community Council.

Your Committee finds that establishing an out-of-state office of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism in the Republic of the Philippines can enhance economic ties and strengthen mutual economic development, including assisting small businesses in developing and marketing products, expanding and diversifying trade opportunities, promoting cultural exchanges, and leveraging the large Filipino community in Hawaii.

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 H.B. No. 437, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, 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