STAND. COM. REP. NO.  45-16

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2264

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business, to which was referred H.B. No. 2264 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HIGH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to continue to develop and support the technology industry in Hawaii by appropriating funds to the High Technology Development Corporation for the provision of technology internship grants and the development of programs to further the pipeline of talent in Hawaii for technology fields.

 

     The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii testified in support of this bill.  The High Technology Development Corporation and Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation testified in support of the intent of this measure.

 

     The High Technology Development Corporation is a key agency in developing the technology industry in the State with a goal of creating eighty thousand new technology and innovation jobs earning more than $80,000 per year by 2030.  A key component to achieving this goal is the development of local talent.  Internship programs have proven an effective way to introduce talent to careers in the technology industry as well as increase the pool from which the technology sector can obtain qualified individuals for employment.  Your Committee finds that the provision of technology internship grants will go a long way in assisting with the development of internship programs, as well as other programs, to increase local talent for employment in the technology industry.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing:

 

     (1)  The appropriation from $250,000 to an unspecified amount; and

 

     (2)  Its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

 

     Should the Committee on Finance deliberate this measure further, your Committee on Economic Development and Business respectfully requests that it consider appropriating $250,000 for the provision of technology internship grants and the development of programs to further the pipeline of talent in Hawaii for technology fields.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2264, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2264, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, Chair