STAND. COM. REP. NO. 444-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1915

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Lower & Higher Education and Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1915 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds to the Department of Education to establish a workforce readiness program to provide students the opportunity to earn associate degrees, workforce development diplomas, pre-apprenticeship certificates, and other industry-recognized certificates.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Workforce Development Council, McKinley Community School for Adults, Waipahu Community School for Adults, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and numerous individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaii System, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Executive Office on Early Learning, and one individual.

Your Committees find that the State's high school students and adult education students would benefit from a work readiness preparation program which provides a close collaboration between educators and industry employers. This would help ensure students develop the skills and credentials needed to make them highly employable. This measure establishes a workforce readiness program to allow students, including students at adult and community schools, to earn associate degrees, workforce development diplomas, pre-apprenticeship certificates, and other industry-recognized certificates.

Your Committees have amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2050.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Lower & Higher Education and Labor & Public Employment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1915, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1915, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Lower & Higher Education and Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________ AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair

____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair