STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1425

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.R. No. 170

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.R. No. 170 entitled:

 

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO COMPILE A SHORT LIST OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES THAT ARE SUITABLE TO RELOCATE TO HAWAII AND IDENTIFY MEANS AND INCENTIVES TO ENTICE THESE COMPANIES TO RELOCATE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to compile a short list of Fortune 500 Companies that are suitable to relocate to Hawaii and identify means and incentives to entice these companies to relocate.

 

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

 

     Your Committee finds that the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and relating job losses in the tourism sector of the economy have demonstrated the urgent need for business diversification in the State.  Your Committee further finds that given the advances in technology and the way business is conducted in the modern age, there are more reasons for companies to relocate to Hawaii than ever before and the State should explore all possible incentives to lure well-paying jobs and investment to Hawaii.  These efforts may provide pathways to the business diversification that Hawaii sorely needs.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by requesting that the Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism submit a report, which includes a list of the Fortune 500 companies identified as suitable to relocate to the State, along with any other findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2022.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 170, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 170, S.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

 

 

 

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair