CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 62

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2017

RE:    S.B. No. 946

       S.D. 1

       H.D. 1

       C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 946, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY TO ADJUST PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL LICENSING FEES,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

     The purpose of this measure is to update the existing authority of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Department) to adjust licensing fees, subject to the approval of the Governor, to include:

     (1)  Licensing regulatory areas not currently referenced in section 92-28, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     (2)  All future licensing regulatory areas statutorily assigned to or placed within the Department.

     Your Committee on Conference finds that since 2007, six new licensing areas have been added to the Department's Professional and Vocational Licensing Division for regulation.  These six new licensing areas are athletic trainers, behavior analysts, mixed martial arts, respiratory therapists, uniform athlete agents, and veterinary technicians.  This measure authorizes the Department to adjust licensing fees for these licensing areas and any future licensing regulatory areas assigned to the Department, subject to the approval of the Governor, which ensures that the Department is able to timely increase or decrease fees for professional and vocational areas under its jurisdiction in a manner that is fair and impartial to all licensees.

     Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by changing its effective date to upon its approval.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 946, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 946, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ TAKASHI OHNO Co-Chair	____________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER Chair
____________________________ ROY M. TAKUMI Co-Chair	____________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI Co-Chair
____________________________ ISAAC W. CHOY Co-Chair