STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2120

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  S.B. No. 2905
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Labor and Environment, to which was
referred S.B. No. 2905 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT SECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to extend the sunset date of
the Employment and Training Fund Program through December 31,
2005.

     Testimony in favor of this measure was received from the
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Hawaii Agriculture
Research Center, Head Start Hawaiian Beaches Site, Hawaii Fashion
Industry Association, Hawaii Island Landscape Association, People
Attentive to Children, Hawaii Association for the Education of
Young Children, Pacific Business Insights, Inc., Napali Kai,
Shriners Hospital, Oceanic Institute, ABC Stores, Pacific Beach,
Pagoda, and King Kamehameha Beach hotels, and Hui Malama Learning
Center.  Testimony in opposition to the measure was received from
the Hawaii Business League, National Federation of Independent
Business, and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii.

     To compete in the global market, businesses must upgrade the
skills of their workers to meet changing technology and consumer
tastes.  Many small businesses cannot afford the expense of
training.  Through the Employment and Training Fund Program,
small businesses are able to provide their workers the skills
necessary to keep pace with competitors.  Your Committee finds it
worthwhile to continue the Employment and Training Fund Program.

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2120
                                   Page 2


     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Labor and Environment that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of S.B. No. 2905 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 Labor and
                                   Environment,



                                   ______________________________
                                   BOB NAKATA, Chair

 
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