STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3116

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2289

       H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 2289, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY-BASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Amend the definition of "community-based organization" for purposes of the Hawaii community-based economic development technical and financial assistance program to delete the requirement that the organization be membership based;

     (2)  Reduce the size of the Community-Based Economic Development Advisory Council from twelve to nine members;

     (3)  Amend the qualifications for community-based economic development grants to include technical assistance to community-based organizations;

     (4)  Update non-discrimination language applicable to a grant applicant; and

     (5)  Appropriate funds to provide community-based economic development technical and financial assistance.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Pacific Growth Associates; and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that community-based organizations in Hawaii play an important role in supporting economic development, education, health, and small businesses within their respective communities.  This measure will allow more deserving groups to receive community-based economic development technical and financial assistance.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2289, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology,

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair