STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1611

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   S.B. No. 46

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 3

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 46, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect post-secondary students in the State by establishing a Post-secondary Education Authorization Program within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to comply with new federal regulations for post-secondary educational institutions.  This measure also repeals the State Post-secondary Education Commission, located within the University of Hawaii.

The Policy Office of the Governor, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Hawaii Pacific University, International Quantum University for Integrative Medicine, Akamai University, University of Phoenix, and Chaminade University of Honolulu supported this measure.  The State Procurement Office, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, University of Hawaii, International University of Professional Studies, and University of the Nations provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriations to be deposited into the post-secondary education authorization special subaccount, funding amounts for three full-time equivalent permanent positions at the department of commerce and consumer affairs to implement the provisions of this measure, and funding amounts for the contracting of an implementation coordinator or team, to unspecified amounts;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  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. 46, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 46, S.D. 2, H.D. 3.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair