STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1287-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2081

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was referred S.B. No. 2081, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; Alliance for Collaboration in the Exploration of Space; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the fields of aerospace and aeronautics have played a pivotal role in expanding and diversifying the national economy by forging new inroads to scientific discovery, advancing national engineering and manufacturing expertise, pioneering innovations in communications and computer technologies, enhancing surveillance of our home planet, and enabling a better understanding of weather systems and climate change. Your Committee further finds that Hawaii's strategic near‑equatorial location, geography, resident expertise in a broad range of aerospace- and aeronautics-related technologies, and long-standing ties with space-faring nations throughout the Asia-Pacific region provide vital assets and promise great capabilities. Your Committee believes that establishing the Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program will promote the growth and diversification of the State's aerospace and aeronautics businesses, diversify the State's economy, and create high paying jobs.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Appropriating funds for the establishment of one full-time equivalent position within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to assist the Corporation's aerospace coordinator;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $75,000 for an aerospace development specialist; $40,000 for program travel and conferences; and $35,000 for consulting and subject matter expertise support.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2081, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2081, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development,

____________________________

DANIEL HOLT, Chair