Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 95 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Auditor to conduct a comparative analysis between Hawaii and other states regarding the regulatory and licensing requirements of regulated professions and vocations.

Your Committee finds that twenty-five professions are regulated by state boards and commissions that are overseen by, and administratively attached to, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs also regulates twenty-one licensing programs.

Your Committee also finds that some of the regulatory programs overseen by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and its boards and commissions may serve to increase the costs of goods and services to consumers and unreasonably restrict entry into professions and vocations by qualified applicants. Additionally, criticisms have been made that some regulatory programs have increased in number and scope -- contrary to the conclusions drawn by the Auditor that such regulation is unnecessary.

In light of these allegations, your Committee concurs with your Committee on Commerce, and Consumer Protection and Housing, that a comparative analysis by the Auditor regarding professional and vocational regulatory programs will provide a basis to improve such programs, by addressing concerns expressed by consumers as well as prospective applicants of regulated professions and vocations.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 95 and recommends its adoption.