STAND. COM. REP. NO. 489-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1654

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor & Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 1654, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a Qualified Internship Grant Program to provide grants to businesses and organizations that provide qualified interns with work-based learning experiences through a qualified internship program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; Hawaii State Teachers Association; Hawaii Food Industry Association; HawaiiKidsCAN; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiian Telcom; Hawaii Business Roundtable; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; and Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that to ensure a robust future workforce, it is critical that the State finds opportunities for students to participate in work-based learning experiences prior to graduation. To encourage employers of all sizes to partner with schools to provide such experiences, offering incentives for employers will ensure greater employer participation in work-based learning opportunities for students. This measure presents an opportunity to expand internship opportunities for students across the State, providing them with valuable hands-on experience and addressing workforce shortages in certain industries.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing references to the term "internship applicant" to "internship grant applicant" for clarity; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1654, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1654, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Government Operations,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair