STAND. COM. REP. NO.925

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.B. No. 1292

S.D. 2

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns, to which was referred S.B. No. 1292, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to restructure the New Economy Technology Scholarship Program (Program) to allow more students to participate by removing some onerous requirement that have hindered the Program's implementation. More specifically, this bill:

(1) Requires that lists of approved courses be reviewed only as necessary;

(2) Repeals the requirements that work shall begin in Hawaii within a specified time following the completion of a degree or certificate program and that if such work has not begun, the student shall reimburse amounts received;

(3) Specifies which programs shall have priority status;

(4) Repeals the requirement that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) adopt rules relating to the Program;

(5) Specifying further information to be included in the annual report;

(6) Appropriating funds to establish and implement the Program; and

(7) Extending the sunset date of the Program to June 30, 2006.

The University of Hawaii submitted testimony in support of this bill. DBEDT submitted testimony in support of the intent of this bill.

Your Committee finds that the Program seeks to help create a technologically literate and proficient workforce. As our economy develops, it is transformed by today's technology, and Hawaii must ensure that our students have the tools to be effective workers in this "New Economy." Unfortunately, the Program has been mired in inhibiting requirements that have not allowed it to become fully implemented. These restrictive aspects of the original legislation must be addressed if the Program is to function as it was intended. This bill will help this worthy Program get off of the ground by removing these hindrances to the Program's full realization.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1292, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Education.

 

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

____________________________

LEI AHU ISA, Chair