STAND. COM. REP. NO. 659

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 817

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 S.B. No. 817 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish an out-of-state office in the Philippines; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Oahu Filipino Community Council; Hawaiʻi Friends of Civil Rights; and two individuals.

Your Committees find that strengthening the economic ties between the State and the Philippines is a prime opportunity to fuel economic development. As the second-largest ethnic group in the State, Filipinos play a significant role in the local economy. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has also indicated his support for increased trade between the regions. This measure allows the State to enhance the economic and cultural partnerships with the Philippines and promote growth and mutual benefits.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

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

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments 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 S.B. No. 817, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 817, 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