STAND. COM. REP. NO.124-02
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2002
RE: H.B. No. 2398
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2002
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns, to which was referred H.B. No. 2398 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE NEW ECONOMY TRANSITION PROGRAM,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this bill is to assist Hawaii's small businesses in making the transition to a technology-based economy by appropriating $200,000 for the continuation of the New Economy Transition (NET) Program.
The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (Chamber), Computer Training Academy/Network Resource Center, and PDC Systems testified in support of this bill. The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism supported the intent of this measure.
The NET Program was established by Act 259, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001, with a $90,000 grant-in-aid contract to the Chamber. Basically, the NET Program offers:
(1) Subsidized consulting services;
(2) On-line technology that offers a "one-stop shop" for businesses; and
(3) Seminars.
The NET Program is designed for any business or organization that wants to step into the new economy and does not have the time and resources to learn how to participate in the information-technology revolution on its own.
The proposed funding would allow the NET Program to continue to expand its program offerings and to hire a program coordinator.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2398 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns,
|
____________________________ LEI AHU ISA, Chair |
||