Bill Text: HI SB529 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii Senate Bill 529 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Office of International Affairs; Special Fund

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [SB529 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-SB529-Amended.html

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 11

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 529

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

Your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 529 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish an Office of International Affairs special fund to deposit admission fees from seminars, workshops, trade shows and missions, private and government grants, and other contributions to pay for expenses incurred to organize, plan, and implement business development activities of the Office of International Affairs.

This measure also makes an appropriation for the Office of International Affairs special fund.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Testimony in opposition was received from the Department of Budget and Finance.

The Office of International Affairs was established by Act 172, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, to coordinate and promote economic, social, cultural, and scientific relations with other countries. Act 172 did not establish a fund to deposit proceeds derived by the Office of International Affairs.

This measure specifies that all revenues, admission fees, and charges from workshops, seminars, conferences, trade shows, and trade missions collected by the Office of International Affairs, and private or governmental grants, donations, and contributions, are to be deposited into the Office of International Affairs special fund. Moneys in the special fund are to be used for the following purposes:

(1) The planning, marketing, and implementation of domestic and overseas workshops, seminars, conferences, trade shows, and trade missions; and

(2) The performance of other duties of the Office of International Affairs, including the promotion of Hawaii business, trade, education, and culture.

Your Committee finds that this measure would enhance the funding of international relations programs sponsored by the State. The status of Hawai�i as a prominent participant in international affairs would be elevated to a level deserving of serious international and national recognition.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 529 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair