STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3146

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1613

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 1613, 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 appropriate funds for the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity specialist and marketing and branding specialist positions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaiʻi Angels, ThriveHI, Hawaii Food Industry Association, The Maritime Group, Simonpietri Enterprises LLC, Blue Startups, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that insufficient awareness, clarity, and consistent outreach impedes full utilization of existing Hawaii Technology Development Corporation programs and facilities and undermines the Development Corporation's ability to compete for federal funding, talent, and private investment. Your Committee further finds that advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity are increasingly important sectors that support critical infrastructure and the digital economy, and enable the growth of many new industries, such as ocean and space technologies. This measure improves the Development Corporation's capacity to deliver programs, expand outreach, and communicate opportunities, thereby supporting a more connected statewide innovation ecosystem.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 3050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1613, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1613, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

LYNN DECOITE, Chair