STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2637

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2543

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2543 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify the responsibilities of the University of Hawaii Community Colleges.

More specifically, this measure specifies the responsibility of the University of Hawaii Community Colleges to provide short-term and rapid response occupational and certification programs designed to qualify individuals to fill new and hard-to-fill positions that require technical training in the State.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii Community Colleges and the Department of Human Resources Development.

     Your Committee finds that the current economy requires colleges to quickly react in order to provide the technical workforce needed by the public and private sectors.  This type of short-term, rapid response training is a function of the University of Hawaii Community Colleges.  Codifying the function provides formal recognition of the Community Colleges' important role in preparing a properly trained workforce.   

     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 S.B. No. 2543 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair