STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1855

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 991

       H.D. 1

       S.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 Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 991, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to assist the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation in facilitating economic development in the State.

 

     Specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  Changes the cap for awards to assist businesses applying for the Small Business Innovation Research Grant Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Program to an unspecified amount; and

 

     (2)  Adds the purchase of renewable energy systems as an eligible expense, and clarifies that training on both new and existing manufacturing equipment are eligible expenses, for the Manufacturing Development Grant Program.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association; and Hawaii Food Industry Association.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation's grant programs provide leverage and positive economic development value for the State.  Your Committee further finds that grant recipients are key contributors to the State's food security, sustainability, resiliency, and innovation.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting language from Senate Bill No. 1297, Senate Draft 2, that amends the composition of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation's Board of Directors to:

 

     (1)  Delete reference to an "appointed member from the University of Hawaii"; and

 

     (2)  Include the Chairperson of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, unless the Chairperson, with the approval of the Board of Regents, designates another Regent to serve.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 991, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 991, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair