Report Title:

Vocational Education; Hawaii County; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for the establishment of post-high school vocational education programs in Pahoa and Ka'u, in the county of Hawaii.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	159
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that rural communities throughout the state have been significantly impacted by the condition of Hawaii’s economy.  The situation is especially critical in rural communities on the island of Hawaii:  in recent years, the county of Hawaii has experienced the lowest per capita income levels in the entire state--nearly $4,000 less than the state average.  The situation has been exacerbated by the demise of established businesses such as Hamakua Sugar Company, which at one point employed nearly ten per cent of Hawaii island’s workers.

The legislature further finds that vocational education programs enhance the job skills of citizens who are unemployed, and increase these citizens’ access to employment opportunities. Accordingly, the establishment of vocational education programs serving unemployed and underemployed persons will aid in improving economic conditions on the island of Hawaii.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the

establishment of post-high school vocational education programs in Pahoa and Ka’u, in the county of Hawaii, to provide pre-employment and job skills training for unemployed and underemployed workers.

SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $      or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 and $      or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 to establish post-high school vocational education programs in Pahoa and Ka’u, in the county of Hawaii, to provide pre— employment and job skills training for unemployed and underemployed workers.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of labor and industrial relations for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:

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