STAND. COM. REP. NO.368

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 400

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Science, Art and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 400 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR PHASE II OF THE INSTITUTE FOR ASTRONOMY ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and make an appropriation for phase II construction at the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy facilities on Maui.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the University of Hawaii Institute of Astronomy and the High Technology Development Corporation. Testimony in support of the intent of this measure was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committee finds that the University of Hawaii's Institute of Astronomy ranks amongst the world's most successful programs, due to Hawaii's naturally suitable geography that has attracted global investment in high technology equipment and facilities on the island of Maui. Your Committee further finds that the Institute's facility on Maui has been successful in procuring strategic lots for additional state-of-the art facilities, but is in need of additional funding to immediately purchase an adjacent lot to ensure sufficient contiguous space to successfully compete for world-class projects such as the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope, which siting is soon to be determined through a competitive application process.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Science, Art and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 400 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Science, Art and Technology,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair