STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1657

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 448

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. 448, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY ENABLEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to promote economic development and tourism by appropriating moneys to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to assist small businesses, including those in the tourism sector, with technology enablement.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Food Industry Association, and The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that technology integration is essential for small businesses in Hawaii, particularly those in the tourism sector. Your Committee further finds that technology integration enables small businesses to thrive in the global marketplace by lowering operational costs, expanding market reach, and enhancing the customer experience. Appropriating moneys to support technology integration by small businesses will contribute to the economic sustainability and growth of Hawaii businesses and the Hawaii tourism industry.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

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. 448, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 448, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair