Report Title:

High Technology; HMEP; Appropriation of Matching Funds

 

Description:

Provides matching funds to provide extension services through HMEP to improve the performance of business enterprises in Hawaii and thereby strengthen global and local competitiveness.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

544

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to high technology.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that high technology, manufacturing, and value-adding business enterprises are important contributors to the State's economic base. This mix of "old economy" and "new economy" is diverse and offers many opportunities for economic expansion and job growth in the State. The legislature also finds that to maximize the economic potential of these enterprises, many require assistance in:

(1) Information gathering and decision-making support;

(2) Adoption of new manufacturing of high technology techniques and best business practices; and

(3) Commercialization of new manufacturing and high technology products.

The legislature finds that the Hawaii Manufacturing Extension Partnership (HMEP) is a statewide economic development organization that has effectively delivered manufacturing and other extension services to business enterprises in the State. It serves the "old economy," which is a composite of traditional manufacturing sectors including value-added agricultural, food, apparel, crafts, printing and publishing, and lumber and wood producers. It also serves the "new economy" sectors, which defy exact definition, but include value-added agriculture, computer and software services, research, and development, engineering services, and the value-adding chain of supply for Hawaii's hospitality, retail, and wholesale industries, including state and federal agencies.

The legislature also finds that the HMEP's major stakeholders are the State and the National Institute of Standards and Technology/Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST/MEP). The State expects HMEP to focus in technology transfer and commercialization using Hawaii's assets in telecommunications, supercomputing, astronomy, ocean sciences, biotechnology tropical agriculture, healthcare, information technology, and abundant renewable resources. NIST/MEP expects HMEP to be a "high performance center" that helps businesses become high performance firms.

The purpose of this Act is to provide state funds to be matched with federal funds to provide extension services through HMEP to improve the performance of business enterprises in Hawaii and thereby improve their strength in global and local competitiveness.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and the same sum, or so much thereof as many be necessary, for fiscal year 2002-2003, for the establishment of manufacturing extension programs in Hawaii; provided that no funds shall be made available under this Act unless matched dollar-for-dollar out of federal funds for the purpose for which these sums are appropriated.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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