STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1721

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 1665

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 1665, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to enhance the training capacity of the State's community colleges to meet the rapidly evolving needs of employers and employees by establishing a Skilled Worker and Business Development Center (Center) within the University of Hawaii (UH) community college system.  This measure also appropriates funds for the Center's establishment and implementation.

     The Department of Education and a concerned individual supported this bill.  The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations opposed this measure.  UH provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2020, to encourage further discussion; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1665, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1665, S.D. 2, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair