STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2102

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2182

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2182 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR NURSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to make permanent the assessment and deposit of the Center for Nursing fees into the compliance resolution fund and distribution of those funds to the credit of the Center for Nursing special fund.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Workforce Development Council; University of Hawaii at Manoa; Board of Nursing; Hawaii State Center for Nursing; Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; The Queen's Medical Center; Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses; Hawaii American Organization of Nurse Executives; Hawaii Long Term Care Association; American Academy of Nurse Practitioners; AARP Hawaii; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and six individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Legislature established the Center for Nursing in 2003 to address nursing workforce issues.  Since its inception, the Center for Nursing has become a leader in workforce planning, nursing research, and professional practice in the State.  Your Committee further finds that the Center for Nursing has provided invaluable support to nurses throughout the State through advocacy, training, and grants, and as a resource center.  Your Committee additionally finds that supporting the continued efforts of the Center for Nursing will help ensure adequate nursing education and workforce development to meet the healthcare needs of Hawaii's citizens.

     Your Committee notes that the fees credited to the Center for Nursing special fund are the main source of funding for the Center for Nursing.  Repealing these fees would in essence cause the demise of the Center for Nursing.  Your Committee therefore concludes that making the specific fees on new and renewed Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse licenses permanent is essential for the continued funding of the Center for Nursing.  Permanent funding will allow the Center for Nursing to continue its important mission of addressing nursing workforce issues.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2182 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair