STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1196

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1391

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 Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 1391, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRADE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the Hawaiʻi-Ireland Trade Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for administrative purposes.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committees find that international trade relationships can create pathways that support mutual economic and cultural development. Global concerns and policy issues such as education, energy, and good governance, are best addressed through collaboration and diverse perspectives. By establishing a trade commission with Ireland, the State will open itself to benefit from this cooperation while promoting local businesses on a global scale.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Transportation and Culture and the Arts that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1391, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1391, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair