STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3026

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2304

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2304, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE RESEARCH CORPORATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify the purpose and powers of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (Research Corporation).

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Provides that legislative appropriations contracted to the Research Corporation may support sponsored research and training activities or advance innovation and entrepreneurship in the State;

(2) Requires the University of Hawaii to consult with employee unions and generally not supplant civil servant positions;

(3) Clarifies that the purpose of the Research Corporation shall be to conduct research and disseminate knowledge;

(4) Focuses the powers of the Research Corporation on research, training, and publication; and

(5) Specifies requirements for revolving fund accounts held by the Research Corporation.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, the University of Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species.

Your Committee finds that since its creation, the Research Corporation's projects and responsibilities have expanded far beyond its original purpose. Your Committee further finds that this measure will help to focus the powers and duties of the Research Corporation on its original purpose of research while simultaneously preventing overlapping duties with other state entities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the University of Hawaii shall be required to consult with the exclusive representative of the appropriate bargaining unit when the Research Corporation is involved with a state project or program or for any program involving the Research Corporation and a state employee;

(2) Deleting the requirement that the Research Corporation report quarterly and annually to the Legislature since section 304A-3007, Hawaii Revised Statutes, already requires annual reports to the Legislature by the Research Corporation;

(3) Authorizing the Research Corporation to retain contracts related to invasive species control and eradication;

(4) Requiring the University of Hawaii to submit a report to the Legislature within thirty days of the adoption of any amendment to Administrative Procedures, AP 12.204, by the University of Hawaii and the Research Corporation;

(5) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(6) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, 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. 2304, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2304, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair