STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1354

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 312

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 312, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CREATIVE MEDIA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the University of Hawaii, West Oahu, to offer a Bachelor of Arts degree in creative media.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System.

Your Committee finds that post-secondary education in creative media provides opportunities for students to pursue careers in graphic and web design, digital video production, and other digital media outlets. Currently, the University of Hawaii, West Oahu campus, offers a Bachelor's of Applied Science degree with a concentration in creative media and a Bachelor's of Humanities degree with a concentration in creative media. However, these degrees may not be seen by prospective employers on the same level as a Bachelor's of Arts degree from other universities. This measure would provide a specialty degree for students pursuing creative media and expand the locally trained creative media industry workforce.

Your Committee notes that, according to testimony, the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii approved the establishment of a Bachelor of Arts degree in creative media at its February 28, 2019, meeting, but the matter is pending approval from the Western Senior College and University Commission. In light of this, your Committee requests your Committee on Ways and Means to consider this measure for further deliberation.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language that requires the University of Hawaii to finalize and approve, including seeking approval from the Western Senior College and University Commission, the Bachelor of Arts degree in creative media at the University of Hawaii, West Oahu, by the start of the 2020 spring semester;

(2) Inserting language that appropriates funds for fiscal year 2020-2021 to the University of Hawaii creative media program for the purposes of strengthening the pipeline of students to the creative media industry; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 312, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 312, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair