STAND. COM. REP. NO. 936

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 323

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 323, S.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGH TECHNOLOGY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to remove the expenditure ceiling from the high technology special fund and to require that administrative and fiscal positions of the High Technology Development Corporation be funded from the general fund, and not the special fund.

 

     Furthermore, this measure appropriates general funds for the administrative and fiscal positions of the High Technology Development Corporation and for the Hawaii small business innovation research grant program.

 

     Your Committee received comments in support of this measure from the Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development at the University of Hawaii, High Development Corporation, 21st Century Systems, Ambient Micro LLC, Applied Marine Solutions, Archinoetics LLC, Cardax Pharmaceuticals, Geo Recovery Hawaii Inc., Hawaii Aquaculture Association, Hawaii and Pacific Operations, Hawaii Science and Technology Council, High Health Aquaculture, Kuehnle AgroSystems Company LLC., Neptune Technologies Inc., Oceanit, Pacific Sun Energy Corporation, Quantum Leap Interactive, SEE/RESCUE Corporation, Trex Hawaii LLC., and Umikoa Ranch.  Your Committee received comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.  The Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii submitted comments.

 

     Your Committee finds that this measure is necessary to provide continued support for Hawaii's high technology businesses.  Removing the expenditure ceiling from the special fund and requiring certain positions of the development corporation to be funded through general funds will increase the capability and resources of the development corporation in meeting the high technology needs of the State.

 

     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 S.B. No. 323, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair