STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1654

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.C.R. No. 98

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Labor, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 98 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO ESTABLISH THE HAWAII STATE FELLOWS PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Human Resources Development to establish the Hawaii State Fellows Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Resources Development.

Your Committee finds that civil servants are vital to the efficacy of the state government, but the State is facing a growing recruitment and retention crisis in public employment. Fellowships and similar training programs offer a potential solution to fill this gap, offering young workers and state employers the opportunity of a trial run while investing in local workforce development. Your Committee believes that establishing the Hawaii State Fellows Program will address workforce shortages by providing opportunities for individuals to enter public service.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 98 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

JACKSON D. SAYAMA, Chair