STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1036

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1502

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1502, S.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 moneys to the University of Hawaii to hire faculty for workforce development to meet the demands of the defense sector of the State's economy.

Specifically, this measure appropriates moneys to the:

(1) College of Social Sciences of the University of Hawaii at Manoa for four full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, one half-time equivalent (0.5 FTE) position, and related expenses; and

(2) Business Administration Program of the University of Hawaii, West Oahu for two half-time equivalent (0.5 FTE) positions and related expenses.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii System; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Military Affairs Council; University of Hawaii Professional Assembly; Watanabe Floral, Inc.; and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that the defense sector of the State's economy presents unique opportunities for economic growth in Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that investment in workforce development at the University of Hawaii System, specifically the College of Social Sciences and the Business Administration Program, will help prepare future generations to thrive in the sector.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1502, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair