Report Title:

Diversification of the NELHA Board

 

THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

124

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING the board of directors of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority TO COME UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS to MODIFY the MAKE-UP OF ITS BOARD TO include more private sector participation.

 

 

WHEREAS, the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority was established in 1993 as a corporate and political agency for the purpose of facilitating research, development, and commercialization of natural energy resources in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, since its establishment, the goal of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority was broadened to include the research, development, and commercialization of ocean-related research, technology, and industry in Hawaii and to engage in retail, commercial, or tourism activities that will financially support that research development, and commercialization at a research and technology park in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the governing body of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority was to consist of a board of directors to be selected on the basis of their knowledge, interest, and proven expertise in one or more of the following fields: finance, commerce and trade, corporate management, marketing, economics, engineering, energy management real estate development, property management, aquaculture, and ocean science; and

WHEREAS, while the total number of members on the board was increased to accommodate the expanded purpose of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority, the ratio of private industry positions to government positions on the board of directors has remained the same; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that including more participation from the private sector may enhance the standing of Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority in the business and financial communities, and provide networking and partnering opportunities that may otherwise take longer to develop; and

WHEREAS, diversifying the board may help balance the public and State's concerns with that of the business end of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority and assist in strengthening and expediting its self-sufficiency efforts; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Board of Directors of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority develop recommendations to modify the make-up of its Board to include more private sector participation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in diversifying its membership, the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority Board is requested to consider the following:

(1) Adding the Special Advisor on Technology Development to the Governor as a voting member; and

(2) Allowing the Chairperson of the Research Advisory Committee to be designated as the representative for the President of the University of Hawaii;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority Board is requested to submit their recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted the Governor, and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.