STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1087

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 448

H.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 Economic Development and Tourism, 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 appropriate funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to assist small businesses, including those related to the tourism sector, with technology enablement.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation; Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Food Industry Association; SSFM International, Inc.; Koʻolau Distillery; Ten Tomorrow; and Blue Startups, LLC.

Your Committee finds that technology adoption for small businesses in Hawaii, particularly the tourism sector, is vital for those businesses to remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace. While technology implementation for small businesses ensures their ability to innovate, adapt, bolster their resilience, and maintain long-term economic sustainability, many small businesses do not have the resources to adopt and leverage digital tools such as booking systems, online marketing platforms, and data analytics. Your Committee believes that it is critical to support small businesses and create opportunities that strengthen their overall competitiveness, diversify the economy, and build greater local wealth. By appropriating funds to assist small businesses with technology enablement, this measure will expand the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation's capacity for promoting economic diversification and business expansion throughout the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 448, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism,

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LYNN DECOITE, Chair