STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1154

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 989

H.D. 1

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. 989, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for expenses related to building renovations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority.

Your Committee finds that the entire fifth floor of the No. 1 Capitol District Building requires extensive renovations due to health and safety concerns and deteriorating conditions. The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism currently occupies the fifth floor of the building and will be required to pay for expenses related to the renovations. In 2022, the Legislature appropriated $660,000 to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to pay for the renovations. However, the Governor line-item vetoed the appropriation as well as other items to comply with the federally mandated Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds Maintenance of Effort requirement. This measure will appropriate funds to cover necessary renovation-related expenses not included in the building renovation contract, such as moving and storage of items, replacement of partitions and furniture, and temporary office rental and relocation expenses.

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. 989, H.D. 1, 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