STAND. COM. REP. 1176
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2003
RE: H.C.R. No. 122
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2003
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 122 entitled:
"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING REVIEW BY THE AUDITOR CONCERNING THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Auditor to determine whether state regulation of professions and vocations is necessary to further the policies justifying such regulation as set forth in section 26H-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by:
(1) Comparing the licensing requirements of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) and its boards and commissions with those of other states, including educational, testing, experience, and other regulatory prerequisites for entry into a regulated profession;
(2) Determining national licensing norms, and identifying those of Hawaii's regulatory requirements that are more stringent than needed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of consumers; and
(3) Reporting findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the Legislature:
(a) Concerning licensing programs implemented by the 25 boards and commissions administratively attached to DCCA, no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and
(b) Concerning licensing regulation under the 21 regulatory programs implemented by DCCA, no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2005.
Testimony in support of this concurrent resolution was received from DCCA and the Hawaii Association of Realtors.
Your Committee finds that some of DCCA's professional and vocational licensing programs have been criticized as being unnecessary, counterproductive, or protective of regulated business interests over those of the consuming public. Your Committee further finds that a comparison of Hawaii's licensing regulations with those of other states would be productive for DCCA as well as for the Legislature in determining whether changes in licensing regulations are merited.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 122 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce,
|
____________________________ KENNETH T. HIRAKI, Chair |