STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2146

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2081

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 2081 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and to appropriate funds for the establishment of the program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; Alliance for Collaboration in the Exploration of Space; Mahina Aerospace, LLC; Maui Economic Development Board; Hawaii Island Economic Development Board; Interstel Technologies, Inc.; Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference; Hawaii Young Republicans; and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that the aeronautics and aerospace industries hold great potential to enable future development and innovation in science and technology in the State. This measure establishes the Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program to provide a focal point within state government to facilitate dialogue and coordination among the State's public, private, and academic sectors, and to support the State in becoming a major contributor to, and beneficiary of, global space enterprise. This measure further can help the State increase high paying jobs in local communities and diversify the State's economy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of January 1, 2060, to encourage further discussion.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2081, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2081, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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LYNN DECOITE, Chair