Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1538 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to propose amendments to article X, section 6, and article XVIII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to modify the University of Hawaii Board of Regents' appointment process.

Your Committee received testimony is support of the measure from the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly.

The present system of direct nomination of members of the Board of Regents by the Governor has the potential for being overly political and thus interfering with the desire of the Legislature to increase the autonomy of the University of Hawaii system. The system of nomination could be considerably improved by narrowing the choice of nominees to a list of individuals who have been carefully chosen by a knowledgeable nominees evaluation commission of the Board of Regents.

Your Committee finds that there is a need for a constitutional amendment for the modification of the appointment process of the Board of Regents. Your Committee further finds that this measure will provide the University of Hawaii with greater autonomy to attain its long-range objectives, strengthen the selection process for regents, and provide an independent screening body to assist in identifying outstanding candidates.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1538 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.