STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1266

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  S.C.R. No. 23
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was
referred S.C.R. No. 23 entitled:

     "SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF
     BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO CREATE A
     BRANCH WITHIN THE RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS DIVISION
     DEVOTED TO RESEARCH AND PROMOTION EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF
     HAWAII'S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY,"

begs leave to report as follows:
     
     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of
Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to create a branch
within the research and economic analysis division devoted to
research and promotion efforts in support of Hawaii's
construction industry.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent
of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic
Development, and Tourism.

     Your Committee finds that the construction industry is one
of those most affected by Hawaii's economic problems.  Because it
is closely tied to investment, it is extremely important to
current economic well-being as well as to future growth.

     Your Committee expressed considerable frustration that
despite acknowledgement of the importance of construction
activities, little coordinated effort appears to have been
undertaken to assist the industry, while its size and economic

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1266
                                   Page 2


contributions continue to fluctuate widely.  Your Committee
believes the focused approach of this Concurrent Resolution is
necessary in order to rebuild a successful construction industry
in Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this
report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of
S.C.R. No. 23, and recommends that it be referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means.

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



                                   ______________________________
                                   LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

 
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