STAND. COM. REP. NO. 293-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1959

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 H.B. No. 1959 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 Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

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 the State's strategic near‑equatorial location, geography, resident expertise in a broad range of aerospace- and aeronautic-related technologies, and long-standing ties with space-faring nations throughout the Asia-Pacific region are vital assets and capabilities.

Your Committee notes, however, that the establishment of an Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program may be premature, as the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation is currently assessing what the costs may be for such a program. Your Committee believes that providing funding for the establishment of a position to assist the Corporation's aerospace coordinator instead is more prudent at this time.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have established and appropriated funds for the Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program;

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

(3) Updating the purpose section to reflect the amended contents;

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

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

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 H.B. No. 1959, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1959, 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