STAND. COM. REP. NO.  684

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 485

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns, to which was referred H.B. No. 485, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROCUREMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to encourage public contractors to hire persons with disabilities and individuals who are receiving public assistance by providing a procurement preference to bidders who hire these individuals.

     The Department of Accounting and General Services and State Rehabilitation Council supported this bill.

     Your Committee finds that while Hawaii ended 2006 with an unemployment rate of two percent, the unemployment rate for persons with disabilities in Hawaii is currently around 70 percent.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 485, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair