SB549 CD1

Report Title:

Manufacturing Ext. Programs

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the DLIR for the establishment of manufacturing extension programs in Hawaii. Prohibits state funds from being made available under this Act unless matched, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, by federal funds appropriated for the same purpose. (CD1)

 

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	549
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1
		C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PROGRAMS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that high technology, manufacturing, and value-adding business enterprises are important contributors to the State's economic base. This mix of "old economy" and "new economy" is diverse and offers many opportunities for economic expansion and job growth in the State. The legislature also finds that to maximize the economic potential of these enterprises, many require assistance in:

(1) Information gathering and decision-making support;

(2) Adoption of new manufacturing of high technology techniques and best business practices; and

(3) Commercialization of new manufacturing and high technology products.

The legislature finds that the Hawaii Manufacturing Extension Partnership (HMEP) is a statewide economic development organization that has effectively delivered manufacturing and other extension services to business enterprises in the State. It serves the "old economy," which is a composite of traditional manufacturing sectors including value-added agricultural, food, apparel, crafts, printing and publishing, and lumber and wood producers. It also serves the "new economy" sectors, which defy exact definition, but include value-added agriculture, computer and software services, research, and development, engineering services, and the value-adding chain of supply for Hawaii's hospitality, retail, and wholesale industries, including state and federal agencies.

The legislature also finds that the HMEP's major stakeholders are the State and the National Institute of Standards and Technology/Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST/MEP). The State expects HMEP to focus in technology transfer and commercialization using Hawaii's assets in telecommunications, supercomputing, astronomy, ocean sciences, biotechnology tropical agriculture, healthcare, information technology, and abundant renewable resources. NIST/MEP expects HMEP to be a "high performance center" that helps businesses become high performance firms.

The purpose of this Act is to provide state funds to be matched with federal funds to provide extension services through HMEP to improve the performance of business enterprises in Hawaii and thereby improve their strength in global and local competitiveness.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the employment and training fund the sum of $300,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 and the sum of $300,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for the establishment of manufacturing extension programs in Hawaii; provided that no state funds shall be made available under this Act unless matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by federal funds appropriated for the same purpose.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of labor and industrial relations for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.