STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1223

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 1784

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Business and Economic Development, to which was referred H.B. No. 1784, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to create a task force to study Hawaii's role in international affairs and business that will make recommendations regarding the establishment of an Office of International Affairs.

Testimony in opposition to this measure was received from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committees find that there is a need for an Office of International Affairs. Your Committees find that, while the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism has made strides in developing business and trade relationships abroad, the Office of International Affairs is envisioned as encompassing a wider range of responsibilities. Hawaii is uniquely positioned, geographically and culturally, to provide mutual opportunities and benefits to other countries. Your Committees envision that Hawaii can also serve as a place where the international community can develop peace initiatives and modes of international conflict resolution. Your Committees thus find that a separate office is necessary to focus on carrying out the purpose of this measure.

Your Committees have amended this measure by replacing the current language of this measure with the provisions of Senate Bill 1709. The amendment would eliminate the task force and instead establish the Office of International Affairs. The amendment would also delineate the duties of this office.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Business and Economic Development that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1784, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1784, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Business and Economic Development,

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair