STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1452

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 391

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 391, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE WORKFORCE TRAINING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to use the University of Hawaii's community colleges as a channel to assist in stimulating and revitalizing Hawaii's economic recovery by appropriating funds for the administration, training, personnel, and student support of the colleges' workforce development programs, especially for students who are enrolled in public high schools in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, University of Hawai‘i System, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, ACT, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, and Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committee finds that workforce training opportunities offered by the University of Hawaii's community colleges have provided high school students with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment. Priorities for workforce training for those seeking employment immediately after high school are in high-demand areas and entry-level employment with opportunities to advance to high-wage jobs. Additional funding will increase access to these programs and opportunities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; 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 Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 391, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 391, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair