STAND. COM. REP. NO.  302

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1012

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Higher Education and Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1012 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve access to information regarding the supply and demand for workforce training.  Specifically, this bill appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii (UH) to design, research, and develop a web-based interactive searchable database (Database) of workforce training opportunities that:

     (1)  Enables employers to record their specific needs for               training; and

     (2)  Enables providers to list their courses in a way that is      cross-referenced with the needs of the employers.

     The Department of Education and Workforce Development Council testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii P-20 Initiative supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committees have amended this bill by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the purpose of the Database is to              provide ready access to workforce training information        by employers, employees, and training providers;

     (2)  Clarifying that the Database also enables employers and        employees to find information on classes and training              programs that may meet their training needs;

     (3)  Changing the appropriation amount to $1 to encourage               further discussion; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity,      consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Labor & Public Employment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1012, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1012, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________ ALEX M. SONSON, Chair

____________________________ JERRY L. CHANG, Chair