Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 116, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a nursing scholars program administered by the University of Hawaii to train nurses for teaching careers in nursing.

Specifically, this measure authorizes the University of Hawaii to grant scholarships to students enrolled in a graduate degree program in nursing in a public or private post-secondary educational institution in this State.

Upon completion of the graduate degree, the student must commence nursing instruction in this State for a period of years equal to the number of years that the student received a scholarship grant.

Your Committee finds that one of the reasons for the nursing shortage in the State is the lack of a sufficient number of qualified faculty. In turn, one of the reasons for the faculty shortage is the diminishing rate of financial returns in pursuing a graduate level nursing education when only a baccalaureate level education will more than ensure a steady career.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the appropriation figure to an unspecified amount. Your Committee has also made technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 116, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 116, S.D. 2.