STAND. COM. REP. NO 328

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1147

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Higher Education and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 1147 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate monies out of the University of Hawaii revenue bond fund for renovations, repairs, and improvements to the John A. Burns School of Medicine.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii System.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the current facilities of the John A. Burns School of Medicine complex are aging and currently lacking in the maintenance and equipment upgrades that are required by the accrediting body of the John A. Burns School of Medicine.  There has also been one recorded injury due to these aging facilities.  The appropriated funds in this measure would assist the School of Medicine in bringing the facilities up to date and help ensure the future accreditation of the only accredited school of medicine in the State.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1147 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 Higher Education and the Arts,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair