STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3640

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2215

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2215, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a workforce development coordinator position within the Department of Education;

(2) Specify the duties of the coordinator and P-20 agriculture education working group; and

(3) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i Farm to School Hui, Local Food Coalition, Kahana Foundation, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, Center for Getting Things Started, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, and four private individuals.

The average age of farmers in Hawaii is sixty years of age. Your Committee finds that this measure provides necessary coordination among the lower educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, industry, and community foundations to encourage and support those students who want to become new farmers and others needed to revitalize the state agriculture industry, contribute to local food systems, and enhance local food security.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2215, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2215, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

________________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair