STAND. COM. REP. NO.3243

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2449

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2449, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SMALL BUSINESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to assist small businesses by modifying the provisions of the Hawaii Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act.

In particular, this measure:

    1. Amends the definition of "small business" to mean enterprises with fewer than one hundred, rather than two hundred employees;
    2. Allows the Small Business Regulatory Review Board to make nominations to fill board vacancies;
    3. Allows the majority of the Board to elect the chairperson;
    4. Requires the Board to submit an annual report to the Legislature; and
    5. Makes the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act and Board permanent by removing the sunset date.

Your Committee finds that there is a need to amend the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act to continue to provide relief to small businesses that are burdened by broadly drafted administrative rules. Your Committee further finds that this measure will assist in the State's economic recovery following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, by providing needed assistance to small businesses which play a vital role in strengthening the State's economy.

Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this bill by:

    1. Deleting the provision for a small business defender; and
    2. Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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 H.B. No. 2449, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2449, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair