STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1229-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2976

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Education and Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2976, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LICENSING OF PRIVATE TRADE, VOCATIONAL, AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve oversight of private trade, vocational, and technical schools by transferring administration of the licensing and regulation program for these schools from the Department of Education to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

The Department of Education and Office of the Auditor supported this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Pacific Center for Awareness and Bodywork, Hawaii Institute of Hair Design, and numerous concerned individuals opposed the measure.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050 to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     Your Committees respectfully request that your Committee on Finance, should it choose to advance this measure, consider appropriating general funds to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs after the transfer of administration occurs so that licensees do not experience a drastic increase in licensing fees.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Consumer Protection & Commerce that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2976, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2976, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________ ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair

____________________________ ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair