STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1307

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 133

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.R. No. 133 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO REEXAMINE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR STATE POSITIONS THAT ARE CURRENTLY VACANT AND REPLACE THE QUALIFICATION OF A BACHELOR'S DEGREE WITH AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE, WHERE APPLICABLE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Human Resources Development to reexamine the qualifications for state positions that are currently vacant and replace the job requirement of a bachelor's degree with an associate degree or certificate, where applicable.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Resources Development and Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL‑CIO.

Your Committee finds that the state government has over 27,700 positions that are currently vacant. The high vacancy rate is a concern for the public to which government provides critical services as well as existing state employees who are overburdened with fulfilling departmental missions with limited personnel. Your Committee further finds that there are various courses offered in the University of Hawaii community college system and apprenticeship programs that prepare participants for jobs in administrative support positions. Upon satisfactory completion of such courses and programs, the participants may apply the work process and related instruction hours to an associate degree or receive certain certificates. This measure will enable individuals with associate degrees and certificates to seek and fill, when appropriate, vacant state positions that currently require a bachelor's degree, and thereby increase the availability and improve the quality of customer service provided to the public, while providing Hawaii residents with access to stable careers and income. Your Committee also believes this will be a good opportunity for the Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a detailed review of the job classifications of the State's workforce and determine qualifications that warrant elimination or revision.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 133 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts,

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BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair