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THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1027

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY.

 

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

SECTION 1. The governor and the legislature have recognized that the long-term solution to Hawaii’s economic dilemma is a revitalized economic base that would support Hawaii's participation in the emerging global technology economy, or "new economy" as it is called. The knowledge- and idea-based new economy redefined the rules of business and competition, creating an increasingly global market for goods and services. In this "new economy", ideas, technology, speed, cost reduction, and adaptation to change are the keys upon which economic growth and prosperity rely.

One of the major focuses of the 1999 and 2000 legislative sessions was technology development initiatives. The creation of a special advisor on technology development in the governor’s office has been a major step in focusing Hawaii’s efforts on common objectives. The special advisor is charged with spearheading and facilitating the State’s technology programs.

Due to the importance and promise of the technology sector, appointment of the special advisor to the board of the three main technology agencies is critical. As such, this Act provides for the special advisor to be a member of the boards of the high technology development corporation, the Hawaii strategic development corporation, and the natural energy laboratory of Hawaii authority.

SECTION 2. Section 206M-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

"(b) The governing body of the development corporation shall consist of a board of directors having [eleven] twelve voting members. Seven of the members shall be appointed by the governor for staggered terms pursuant to section 26-34. Six of the appointed members shall be from the general public and selected on the basis of their knowledge, interest, and proven expertise in, but not limited to, one or more of the following fields: finance, commerce and trade, corporate management, marketing, economics, engineering, and telecommunications, and other high technology fields. The other appointed member shall be selected from the faculty of the University of Hawaii. All appointed members of the board shall continue in office until their respective successors have been appointed. The director of business, economic development, and tourism, the director of finance, an appointed member from the board of the Hawaii strategic development corporation, [and] an appointed member from the board of the natural energy laboratory of Hawaii authority, and the special advisor for technology development, or their designated representatives, shall serve as ex officio voting members of the board. The director of business, economic development, and tourism shall serve as the chairperson until such time as a chairperson is elected by the board from the membership. The board shall elect such other officers as it deems necessary."

SECTION 3. Section 211F-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) The governing body of the corporation shall be a board of directors consisting of [eleven] twelve members. Eight of the members shall be from the general public and appointed by the governor for staggered terms pursuant to section 26-34, and shall be selected on the basis of their knowledge, skill, and experience in the scientific, business, or financial fields. The director of business, economic development, and tourism, an appointed member from the board of the high technology development corporation, [and] an appointed member from the board of the natural energy laboratory of Hawaii authority, and the special advisor for technology development, or their designated representatives, shall serve as ex officio voting members. Not more than two of the eight appointed members of the board, during their term of office on the board, shall be employees of the State. Of the members appointed by the governor, one member shall be appointed from a list of nominees provided by the speaker of the house of representatives and one member shall be appointed from a list of nominees provided by the president of the senate. All appointed members of the board shall continue in office until their respective successors have been appointed."

SECTION 4. Section 227D-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

"(b) The governing body of the authority shall consist of a board of directors having [eleven] twelve voting members. Three members from the general public shall be appointed by the governor for staggered terms pursuant to section 26-34, except that one of these members shall be a resident of the county of Hawaii. The members shall be selected on the basis of their knowledge, interest, and proven expertise in, but not limited to, one or more of the following fields: finance, commerce and trade, corporate management, marketing, economics, engineering, energy management, real estate development, property management, aquaculture, and ocean science. The chairperson and secretary of the research advisory committee shall serve on the board. The director of business, economic development, and tourism, the chairperson of the board of land and natural resources, the president of the University of Hawaii, the mayor of the county of Hawaii, an appointed member from the board of the high technology development corporation, [and] an appointed member from the board of the Hawaii strategic development corporation, and the special advisor for technology development, or their designated representatives, shall serve as ex officio, voting members of the board. The director of business, economic development, and tourism shall serve as the chairperson until such time as a chairperson is elected by the board from the membership. The board shall elect other officers as it deems necessary."

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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