STAND. COM. REP. NO. 650
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2005
RE: S.B. No. 119
S.D. 1
Honorable Robert Bunda
President of the Senate
Twenty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2005
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 119 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CONTINUING EDUCATION OF DESIGN PROFESSIONALS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to require continuing education as a condition for renewal of an architect's license.
The Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects, American Institute of Architects - Hawaii State Council, Riecke Sunnland Kono Architects, Ltd., Maui Architectural Group, Kimmey Unabia Architects, Ltd., Garduque Architects, Ferraro Choi and Associates, Ltd., and Mason Architects testified in support of this measure.
Your Committee finds that the practice of architecture requires keeping current and informed on issues facing the profession, including consumer protection issues, such as those related to building security, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and access for persons with disabilities. This measure would help to ensure that architect licensees continue to develop and update their knowledge and expertise throughout their careers by requiring annual continuing education as a condition of license renewal.
Your Committee made technical amendments to this measure to clarify the requirements for an exemption from the continuing education requirement. More specifically, the measure, as amended:
(1) Deletes references to a license on inactive status, since this status is not recognized under architect licensure;
(2) Clarifies that an exemption for military duty is for active duty deployment during a state or national crisis;
(3) Clarifies that an exemption due to illness requires documentation from a licensed physician;
(4) Permits an exemption for a licensee who is retired from the practice of architecture and no longer performing architectural services; and
(5) Provides that exemption from the continuing education requirement is subject to the approval of the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.
Your Committee made additional clarifying amendments to the measure.
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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 119, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 119, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing,
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____________________________ RON MENOR, Chair |
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