STAND. COM. REP. NO.371

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 521

S.D. 1

 

 

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. 521 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AN OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish an Office of Technology and Economic Development in Washington D.C. to pursue federal funds for research and development particularly focused on high technology.

Testimony in support of the intent of this measure was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the Hawaii Technology Trade Association.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's high technology industry is composed of various sectors including information and telecommunications technology, biotechnology, health and medical technology, and dual use and alternative energy technology, amongst others. Your Committee further finds that the dual use sector is the fastest growing area in Hawaii, and which would particularly benefit from a presence in Washington D.C. to represent and promote Hawaii's interests. Your Committee believes however, that a private consultancy can adequately represent Hawaii's interests without the need for additional governmental staff.

Thus, your Committee has amended this measure by deleting the appointment of an executive director and staff within the Office of the Governor.

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. 521, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 521, S.D. 1, 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