STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1323

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1503

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 1503, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to facilitate and enrich the local workforce to meet the growing demand for defense-related roles by developing and implementing:

(A) Skills training programs;

(B) Public-private partnerships;

(C) Funding opportunities;

(D) Recruitment strategies; and

(E) Performance evaluations of the programs established by this measure; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Hawaii Military Affairs Council; Kapolei Chamber of Commerce; and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the defense sector is the second largest economic driver in the State after tourism. By implementing comprehensive training programs, fostering public‐private partnerships, creating funding opportunities, and developing recruitment strategies, the State can capitalize on its strategic geographic location and strengthen its position as a hub for defense‐related industries. This measure not only addresses the immediate needs of the defense sector but also promotes sustainable economic growth by investing in the skills and capabilities of Hawaii's workforce, ensuring a strong and diversified economy for the future.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $1,000,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1503, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1503, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JACKSON D. SAYAMA, Chair