STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2730

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 3092

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3092, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the University of Hawaii at Hilo to facilitate ongoing efforts to establish an international flight training center and associated aeronautical training programs.

Specifically, the measure appropriates funds for a program coordinator and technical support staff member to complete the necessary planning required for an international flight training center and for associated aeronautical training programs at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College, including any necessary planning, designing, and minor repairs to existing facilities at the Hilo International Airport's old cargo terminal for startup and classroom facilities.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the Department of Defense, the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, a Councilmember of the County of Hawaii, the Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaii, and four individuals.

     Your Committee finds that an international flight training center and associated aeronautical training programs will meet the rising demands of the aviation industry, as well as provide more opportunities for aviation careers in Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that to effectively establish the proposed international flight training center and aeronautical training programs at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College, moneys are needed for a program coordinator and technical support staff member to conduct the necessary planning and studies.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Changing the appropriation amount to an unspecified sum;

(2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(3)  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 Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3092, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3092, S.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair