STAND. COM. REP. 1064

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 426

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns, to which was referred S.B. No. 426, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to expand the scope of data collection and dissemination performed by the Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT). Specifically, this bill:

(1) Requires the Director of DBEDT, in consultation and cooperation with all affected government agencies, to inventory all economic, demographic, environmental, and social science data available from all government agencies and relevant data from other jurisdictions, including data and indices related to the high technology industry;

(2) Requires DBEDT to disseminate all the information that it collects and analyzes to government agencies and the public on a timely basis; and

(3) Requires DBEDT to create an Internet website for government agencies and the public to serve as a single point of access to the data collected.

The Department of Accounting and General Services and Enterprise Honolulu supported the intent of this bill. DBEDT offered comments.

Your Committee recognizes that expanded data collection and dissemination are critical for the development of effective economic policies for the State, and in allowing the public increased access to important statistics and information.

Your Committee notes, however, that Hawaii's economy will also benefit from the establishment of an ocean science center to support research and training related to ocean sciences in Hawaii. Hawaii's unique geographical location affords our State rare opportunities and advantages with respect to ocean science initiatives.

Therefore, your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting the provisions of H.B. No. 1395, H.D.1. As amended, this bill:

(1) Extends through the 2003-2005 fiscal biennium, the authority of the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) to issue special facility revenue bonds (SFRBs) for constructing, furnishing, and equipping an ocean science center (Center) in Kakaako;

(2) Increases from $20,000,000 to $40,000,000 the amount of SFRBs that HCDA may issue for the Center; and

(3) Amends the definition of "special facility" to include an ocean science center that incorporates training programs.

Although your Committee has amended this bill by deleting its contents, your Committee understands the merits of expanding data collection and dissemination by DBEDT. Your Committee, therefore, has inserted the contents of S.B. No. 426, S.D. 1 into S.B. No. 1253, H.D. 1.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 426, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 426, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

 

____________________________

BRIAN SCHATZ, Chair