Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred S.R. No. 74 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) to recognize on-line courses from accredited institutions.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the DCCA.

This measure is intended to apply to obtaining a real estate appraiser's certification and license. State administrative rules require educational courses be taken to qualify for a license. According to testimony of the DCCA, it only recognizes those courses that meet criteria established by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB), a federal entity, and chapter 16-114, Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR).

Because the DCCA currently recognizes distance continuing education courses that meet criteria of the AQB and HAR, it is considering accepting the same standards for recognizing qualified distance learning courses for certification and licensure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 74 and recommends its adoption.