STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1278

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.B. No. 885

      S.D. 2

      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 Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 885, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to expand the scope of the Agriculture Education Program in the public schools and establish the Agricultural and Culinary Education Program to grow a qualified workforce for the agriculture, culinary arts, and related industries, teach students healthy eating habits, and address Hawaii's long-term food sustainability needs.

     The Department of Agriculture (DOA), University of Hawaii (UH), Workforce Development Council, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii testified in support of this bill.  DOE supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee notes that DOE has already established an advisory board and task force for the Natural Resources Pathway, which would duplicate, and fragment, the efforts of the advisory task force included in the bill.  The existing advisory board and task force also has representation from DOA, the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and experts in the field

of agriculture and natural resources, the same representatives mentioned in the bill.  Therefore, your Committee has amended this bill by deleting language regarding the advisory task force.

     This bill has been further amended by:

     (1)  Stipulating that the director of the Agriculture Education Program (director) shall evaluate existing programs as well as design complementary programs;

     (2)  Clarifying that the director is to ensure that the standards and criteria developed satisfy the mandates of federally-assisted career and technical education; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style, including clarifying the purpose language of the bill.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 885, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 885, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committees on Agriculture and Economic Development & Business Concerns.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

ROY TAKUMI, Chair