STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1132

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 442

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 442, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for various nursing programs of the University of Hawaii System.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing, AlohaCare, Hawaiʻi – American Nurses Association, Hilo Benioff Medical Center, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State is experiencing a significant shortfall in its health care workforce. Your Committee further finds that the nursing programs currently offered by the University of Hawaii lack the funding and capacity to address the shortage of skilled nursing professionals in the State. Your Committee also finds that expanding the nursing education programs at the University of Hawaii will develop a robust workforce capable of meeting the needs of the State's aging population and support economic growth. This measure will invest in various nursing programs at the University of Hawaii to strengthen the State's health care system and improve health outcomes for residents of the State.

Your Committee notes that the companion to this measure, S.B. No. 637, S.D. 1 (Regular Session of 2025), which was previously passed by the Senate is a substantially similar measure that also appropriates funds for various nursing programs of the University of Hawaii System. Your Committee finds that the language of S.B. No. 637, S.D. 1, is preferable.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting its contents and inserting the contents of S.B. No. 637, S.D. 1, a substantially similar measure that appropriates funds for nursing programs of the University of Hawaii System and has an effective date of July 31, 2050; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 442, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 442, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair