STAND. COM. REP. NO. 944

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 989

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 S.B. No. 989, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to support small businesses in the State.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Appropriates moneys to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to assist small businesses with technology enablement; and

(2) Requires a report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Watanabe Floral, Inc.; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the adoption of technology is vital for small businesses to grow and compete. Helping small businesses learn how to leverage technology can facilitate their ability to optimize operations, reduce costs, and expand their reach.

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 S.B. No. 989, 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