STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2058

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.C.R. No. 50

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 Higher Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 50 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF REGENTS TO ESTABLISH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII MAUI CAMPUS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the University of Hawaii President and Board of Regents to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaii Maui College.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System; State Health Planning and Development Agency; and Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that there is an increasing need for healthcare services in Maui County because of the County's growing and aging population. Your Committee further finds that the University of Hawaii Maui College currently offers a Practical Nurse Certificate of Achievement and an Associate in Science in Nursing degree to prepare students for entry-level nursing positions. Students who complete the Associate in Science in Nursing Program have the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through the University of Hawaii at Manoa. However, your Committee believes that establishing a dedicated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaii Maui College will give Maui residents the opportunity for an uninterrupted pathway for more advanced nursing knowledge along with greater advancement opportunities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its title to make a technical, nonsubstantive amendment; 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 that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 50, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 50, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair