Report Title:
DBEDT; Industry-tracking Program; State Statistics and Data; State Internet Website
Description:
Requires DBEDT to, among other things: (1) Establish an industry-tracking program whereby businesses provide relevant information to DBEDT to track and evaluate business industries and to track new economy indicators; (2) Create a single Internet website composed of data and information from all government agencies, with the information to be easily accessible for analysis.
(SB1253 HD1)
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1253 |
TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003 |
S.D. 1 |
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
|
|
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to economic data.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the "New Economy" is a knowledge- and idea-based economy where the key to higher standards of living and job creation is the extent to which innovative ideas and technologies are embedded in services, products, and manufacturing processes. Its characteristics include an increase in knowledge-based jobs, higher levels of entrepreneurial dynamism and competition, faster times to market, increased product and service diversity, constant technological innovation, globalization, the replacement of hierarchical organization structures with networked learning organizations, and relentless economic churning. As Hawaii embarks on its aggressive economic agenda, it is imperative that our entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses have the necessary tools to prosper in the New Economy.
The legislature further finds now more than ever that Hawaii's public policies and legislative initiatives must not only foster a positive business climate but also provide the necessary building blocks for competing in the New Economy. Developing the workforce, investing in our public schools and the University of Hawaii, creating business incentives to increase investment in high-technology companies, ensuring availability of investment capital, and modernizing government operations are essential actions that need to be further developed. The result will be an economic infrastructure and culture that breeds innovation, entrepreneurship, investment, creativity, and knowledge-based jobs that ultimately lead to higher wages, an enhanced quality of life, and economic prosperity for Hawaii.
The purpose of this Act is to, among other things:
(1) Require the compilation of economic indicators and data to give policymakers, business leaders, government agencies, and the public objective benchmarks to measure Hawaii's progress in making the transition into a globally competitive economy; and
(2) Create a single state Internet website to provide specific information about the State, including economic, demographic, environmental, and social science data from government agencies and other jurisdictions that can be easily accessed and disseminated and that will support further development of our New Economy.
SECTION 2. Section 201-13.8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§201-13.8 Data or information collection. (a) The director, in consultation and cooperation with all affected governmental agencies, shall [assess]:
(1) Assess the need for statistics and other information as to the number, characteristics, needs, and movement of people into, out of, or within Hawaii, including residents, migrants, and visitors, and such other information as the director may deem necessary, for the purposes of sound economic research and analysis[.]; and
(2) Inventory all economic, demographic, environmental, and social science data available from all government agencies and relevant data from other jurisdictions, including, to the extent practicable, data and indices related to the high-technology industry.
The director shall be responsible for collecting[,] and analyzing[, and disseminating such information to governmental agencies on a timely basis,] the information and is authorized to use any appropriate method to collect the information, including but not limited to conducting an entry and exit census or survey of all individuals entering, leaving, or living within the State, and obtaining data or information acquired by other agencies, both public and private. All governmental agencies shall cooperate with and assist the director [to implement] in implementing this section.
(b) The department shall disseminate the information collected and analyzed under subsection (a) to government agencies and the public on a timely basis. The department shall create an Internet website for government agencies and the public to serve as a single point of access to the data gathered under this section. The data shall be in a format that is easily accessible and manipulated to conduct comparisons, cross-references, and comprehensive analyses. All governmental agencies shall cooperate with and assist the director [to implement] in implementing this section[.], including ensuring that the data gathered by governmental agencies may be accessed through the Internet website.
(c) The department shall track and annually report on the following new economy indicators in the State:
(1) The number of high-technology jobs, information technology jobs in non-information technology industries, scientists and engineers employed, Internet domain names registered by Hawaii residents, individuals with Internet access, individuals with broadband Internet access, patents registered by Hawaii residents, and successful start-up businesses;
(2) Educational attainment of the workforce;
(3) Use of high-technology tax credits and other tax benefits;
(4) Access to and use of technology in public schools;
(5) Investment in research and development by industries, government, and nonprofit entities;
(6) The availability of venture capital;
(7) Exports and foreign business travel; and
(8) Diversification of the economy.
The department shall collaborate with institutions of higher education, economists, and other public-private partners to make its new economy indicators available to the widest extent possible using Internet, educational and economic forums, and other media distribution channels; provided that the availability shall be consistent with this section.
[(b)] (d) To the extent that it is identifiable to an individual, information obtained by the department or its agents through surveys, questionnaires, or other [information gathering] information-gathering efforts shall be held confidential and not disclosed or opened to public inspection, except that such information may be shared with other government agencies as provided in section 92F-19.
[(c)] (e) Public disclosure of information gathered by the department could place businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Consequently, where disclosure would result in the impairment of the department's ability to obtain such information and the frustration of a legitimate government function, the department may withhold from public disclosure competitively sensitive information, including:
(1) Completed survey and questionnaire forms;
(2) Coding sheets; and
(3) Database records of such information.
[(d)] (f) The director may adopt necessary rules, pursuant to chapter 91, to administer this section."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.