THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	97
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the STATE auditor to conduct a study as to whether the board of electricians and plumbers should be split into two separate boards.

     WHEREAS, during the 2007 Regular Session, Senate Bill No. 1699 was introduced, which proposed to split the Board of Electricians and Plumbers into two separate entities, a Board of Electricians and a Board of Plumbers; and

     WHEREAS, during the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Affordable Housing's public hearing on Senate Bill No. 1699, testimony was submitted that separate licensing boards for electricians and plumbers may be more appropriate, as separate boards would allow electricians and plumbers to separately address issues specifically related to their own industry; and

     WHEREAS, concerns have been raised that the current composition of the combined Board of Electricians and Plumbers appears to be unbalanced and this may serve as a detriment to both professions and may result in an increased risk to the public; and

     WHEREAS, in the interest of the public, electricians, and plumbers, the option of creating separate boards for electricians and plumbers should be explored; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives concurring, that the State Auditor is requested to study whether the Board of Electricians and Plumbers should be split into two separate boards; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as part of the study, the State Auditor is requested to examine whether the general public, electricians, or plumbers have been disadvantaged or harmed in any way by having a combined Board of Electricians and Plumbers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as part of the study, the State Auditor is requested to examine the boards of other professions in this State and the organization and composition of the boards of electricians and plumbers in other jurisdictions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Auditor is requested to submit the State Auditor's findings, along with any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2008 Regular Session; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the State Auditor, the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and the Chairperson of the Board of Electricians and Plumbers.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Board of Electricians and Plumbers; State Auditor; Study