STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1139-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: S.B. No. 3013

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Lower & Higher Education and Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred S.B. No. 3013, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds to the Department of Education to establish high value employment criteria for industry certification awards to public high schools.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Teachers Association, HawaiiKidsCAN, Hawaii Pacific Health, Project Lead the Way, @MLTSinHawaii, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and six individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Executive Office on Early Learning, and Early Learning Board.

Your Committees find that, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 3.7 million students are expected to graduate high school during the 2019-2020 school year. These students will be entering into a job market where postsecondary credentials are high in demand. An industry‑recognized certification conveys a student's career readiness because the credential validates the competencies and skills required for success in a given occupation or industry.

Your Committees further find that Hawaii has critical shortages of qualified local workers in sectors such as health, education, air travel, and technology. This measure will incentivize public high schools to encourage their students to pursue industry certification in high-value occupations, particularly those having a high demand for competent and skilled employees, high potential for growth, and high wages and prepare them for the modern workforce.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2051; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Lower & Higher Education and Labor & Public Employment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3013, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3013, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Lower & Higher Education and Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________ AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair

____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair