STAND. COM. REP. NO. 588

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1221

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1221, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to foster growth in the aeronautics industry in the State.

 

     More specifically, this measure appropriates an unspecified amount to the University of Hawaii for the hiring of a program coordinator and technical support staff member to complete the planning and studies required for the international flight training center and the proposed aeronautical training program.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the Department of Defense, the Hawaii County Council-District 3, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and eight individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from two individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that in 2012, the Legislature established an exploratory committee that was tasked to determine if an international flight training center should be established in the State.  The exploratory committee proposed three pilot programs:  the professional helicopter pilot program, the unmanned aircraft systems pilot program, and the professional airplane pilot program.  The exploratory committee also recommended that the Legislature appropriate funds to hire a program coordinator and a technical support staff member to conduct and draft the necessary planning and studies required for these pilot programs.  Accordingly, your Committee finds that this measure supports the growth of the aeronautics industry in the State.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date from July 1, 2013, to July 1, 2050, to promote further discussion on the measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1221, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1221, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair