STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1480

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 121

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor and Technology, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 121 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO IDENTIFY STATE JOB CLASSIFICATIONS FOR WHICH A DEGREE OR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATE FROM A COMMUNITY COLLEGE MAY SUBSTITUTE FOR AN ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to:

(1) Identify state job classifications for which a degree or Career and Technical Education Certificate from a community college may substitute for an Associate of Arts degree;

(2) Work with Hawaii P-20, a partnership lead by the Executive Office on Early Learning, Department of Education, and University of Hawaii System, to identify these state job classifications;

(3) Emphasize general qualifications in its job listings, such as those relating to skills, work experience, and industry credentials that may substitute for an Associate of Arts degree; and

(4) Submit a report to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Hawai‘i P‑20, and Hawaii State Teachers Association.

Your Committee finds that a degree or Career and Technical Education (CTE) certificate from a community college is, in many ways, comparable to an Associate of Arts degree and that community college CTE programs and community college degree programs are beneficial options for individuals who thrive in less traditional learning environments, individuals with disabilities, individuals from economically disadvantaged families, individuals experiencing homelessness, and others who might otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. This measure supports the creation of educational pathways that meet the State's current and future labor market needs.

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 121, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 121, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor and Technology,

________________________________

SHARON MORIWAKI, Chair