STAND. COM. REP. NO.  770

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1479

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1479, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HILO COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DISTRICT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to facilitate efficient and effective improvement, and economic opportunity, in the Hilo area by:

(1)  Establishing the Hilo Community Economic Development District;

(2)  Establishing the Hilo Community Economic Revolving Fund; and

(3)  Appropriating funds to establish and administer the District.

The East Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; the Mayor of the County of Hawaii; two members of the Hawaii County Council; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust; Hawaii Construction Alliance; Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association; Hawaii Planing Mill, Ltd, dba HPM Building Supply; Chika Nakano Repair Shop; RMA Sales; Mauna Kea Infrared, LLC; Big Island Toyota; Central Supply Inc.; Hilo Warehouse Services; Building Industry Association of Hawaii; Hawaii Farm Bureau; ILWU Local 142; General Contractors Association of Hawaii; and a number of concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii System, University of Hawaii at Hilo, and Hawaii Community Development Authority submitted comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1479, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair