STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1165

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1194

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 1194, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLANNING ORGANIZATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to ensure that Hawaii is eligible for the substantial benefits of a United States Economic Development Administration-designated economic development district by:

(1) Establishing the Hawaii Economic Development District Planning Organization and governing board to be administratively attached to the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; and

(2) Establishing four full-time equivalent temporary positions and appropriating funds to support the operations of the Hawaii Economic Development District Planning Organization.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committee finds that designation as an economic development district by the United States Economic Development Administration advances the establishment of a long-term relationship with the Administration and will allow the State to benefit significantly from increased access to federal funding to support the continuous development and implementation of the Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. Additionally, the Economic Development Administration is much more likely to award funds to projects within a designated economic development district. This measure will provide necessary resources and satisfy statutory requirements to qualify the State for designation as an economic development district by the United States Economic Development Administration.

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 H.B. No. 1194, 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 Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

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LYNN DECOITE, Chair