STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1128-14
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2014
RE: S.B. No. 2905
S.D. 1
H.D. 1
Honorable Joseph M. Souki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Seventh State Legislature
Regular Session of 2014
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2905, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"
begs leave to report as follows:
(1) For five part-time graduate student assistant and student employee (2.5 FTE) positions in the Office of Student Equity, Excellence, and Diversity at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to conduct and disseminate research relating to Asian American and Pacific Islander students in higher education; and
(2) To provide direct services to undergraduate and graduate students interested in diversity careers relating to student affairs and higher education.
Prior to the public hearing, a Proposed House Draft 1 was circulated and made available to the public for the purpose of receiving testimony. The Proposed House Draft 1 not only retains the provisions of the measure as received by your Committee but also:
(1) Ensures greater fiscal transparency by the University of Hawaii by:
(A) Expanding the Department of Budget and Finance's authority to review the operations plan of the University of Hawaii;
(B) Expanding the Department of Budget and Finance's authority to modify or withhold the University of Hawaii's planned expenditures; and
(C) Requiring the University of Hawaii to obtain legislative authorization prior to any appropriation transfers or changes between programs or agencies;
(2) Helps ensure the fiscal sustainability of the University of Hawaii at West Oahu by prohibiting the sale or gift of land currently being used for the permanent campus of the University of Hawaii at West Oahu without the prior approval of the Legislature by concurrent resolution adopted by at least a two-thirds' majority vote of both chambers; and
(3) Promotes greater fiscal accountability by the University of Hawaii by:
(A) Repealing the authority of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to issue revenue bonds for the purpose of providing adequate parking structures or other facilities; and
(B) Repealing subpart D of part VI of Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, pertaining to University of Hawaii projects and purposes.
After further consideration, your Committee has adopted the provisions contained in the Proposed House Draft 1 and has further amended the bill by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.
Your Committee recognizes that fiscal determinations are within the purview of your Committee on Finance. Therefore, your Committee respectfully requests that, if your Committee on Finance chooses to advance this bill, an appropriation of $190,000 be inserted to:
(1) Hire the requisite personnel to conduct and disseminate research relating to Asian American and Pacific Islander students in higher education; and
(2) Provide direct services to undergraduate and graduate students interested in diversity careers relating to student affairs and higher education.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2905, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2905, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,
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____________________________ ISAAC W. CHOY, Chair |
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