STAND. COM. REP. NO.  854

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 1381

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1381, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL LICENSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to assist Hawaii's service men and women, and their spouses, in obtaining an occupational license in this State.  Specifically, this measure allows professional and vocational licensing authorities to license military veterans and the spouses of service members by endorsement or reciprocity provided that:

     (1)  The veteran or the nonresident spouse has obtained the equivalent of or exceeded the requirements of the licensing authority of this State; and

     (2)  The nonresident spouse is married to a military member in good standing who is stationed in Hawaii for at least one year; or

     (3)  The veteran been given an honorable discharge or general discharge from active duty within two years of applying for licensure and provides sufficient documentation of discharge.

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii, Hawaii Association of Public Accountants, and Niwao & Roberts, CPAs testified in opposition to this measure.  The United States Department of Defense, Hawaii Dental Association, and American Institute of Architects provided comments on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Specifying that the provisions relating to the licensure by endorsement or reciprocity of veterans shall not apply to licensure by a licensing authority that is subject to specific provisions regulating licensure by endorsement or reciprocity pursuant to another chapter of the Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2112, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1381, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1381, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair