STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2746

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2976

       S.D. 2

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. 2976, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to transfer the licensing of private trade, vocational, and technical schools from the Department of Education to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education and the Office of the Auditor.

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Pacific Center for Awareness and Bodywork, and Med-Assist School of Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that the Department of Education's administration of licensing programs for private trade, vocational, and technical schools consumes valuable resources and time that should be solely focused on providing direct services and support for public schools, educators, and students.  Your Committee further finds that the focus on regulatory functions is misaligned with the department's primary mission regarding K-12 education.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Amending the definition of "license" in section 302A‑101, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to remove cross references to the sections of chapter 302A that are being repealed by this measure;

(2)  Repealing the definition of "private trade, vocational, or technical school" in section 302A‑101,; and

(3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity 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 S.B. No. 2976, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2976, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair