STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3205

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2273

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2273, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE MECHANIC CERTIFICATION PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to broaden the range of entities, educational institutions, and organizations that may enter into agreements with the Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Board to develop and administer the certification program for motor vehicle mechanics.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Board.

     Your Committee finds that the present law, which requires the board to contract solely with the University of Hawaii, to develop and administer the certification program, has outlived its useful purpose and is no longer necessary.  Presently, the National Institute Automotive Service Excellence has become widely accepted and recognized as the standard industry credential for motor vehicle mechanics.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Restoring language that authorizes the board to develop and administer a certification program;

(2)  Clarifying that the board has the flexibility to either approve or enter into a written agreement with an entity, educational institution, or other organization to design or procure the certificate or patch that is provided to persons who successfully complete the certification program;

(3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(4)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of consistency and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2273, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2273, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair