STAND. COM. REP. NO. 339
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2005
RE: H.B. No. 240
H.D. 1
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2005
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 240 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR JOB TRAINING,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this bill is to increase the number of skilled workers in Hawaii by:
(1) Making an appropriation to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) to provide job training to underemployed and unemployed persons; and
(2) Specifying that DLIR focus training on the construction industry and other skilled trades, high technology vocations, maritime industry vocations, culinary arts, general equivalency degree programs, and labor shortage areas.
Several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure. DLIR supported the intent of this measure. The Department of Human Services (DHS) opposed this bill. The University of Hawaii and Hawaii Carpenters Union commented on this measure.
Your Committee realizes that Hawaii is currently experiencing a shortage of skilled workers in a variety of areas and that the growing economy will require an ever-increasing number of these workers. This measure provides a step in the right direction in addressing the present and future needs of a skilled workforce.
However, your Committee understands the concerns regarding the appropriate agency to expend Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funds. Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the expending agency from DLIR to DHS;
(2) Stipulating that the appropriated funds shall be expended through vouchers to clients eligible for TANF for the purpose of training and education through the University of Hawaii's community college system or through public-private partnerships as may be established through request for proposals;
(3) Expanding the training of applicants to include training in sustainable diversified agriculture; and
(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 240, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 240, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,
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____________________________ KIRK CALDWELL, Chair |