STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3045

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2826

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2826, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to address the shortage of qualified and credentialed workers in high-demand industries in the State.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes career development success programs that provide financial incentives for participating public high schools and charter schools to encourage pupils enrolled in grades nine through twelve to enroll in and complete qualified industry-credential programs; and

(2) Appropriates moneys to the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to implement the programs.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission, HawaiiKidsCAN, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the "Promising Credentials in Hawaii" report is produced as a collaborative effort between the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, and Kamehameha Schools. The report identifies high-value industry credentials that prepare students for careers in the State based on local labor market data and employer insights, with the goal of better tailoring career readiness programs that meet the needs of the local job market. Your Committee further finds that this measure establishes career development success programs in Hawaii schools to further facilitate this effort.

Your Committee notes that the intent of the measure is for the Department of Education to use the "Promising Credentials in Hawaii" report as a starting point in establishing the career development success programs. However, your Committee further notes that this measure provides the Department of Education the authority to determine the credentials that qualify under the programs to allow the Department to make changes as circumstances change.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the Department of Education has the authority to determine the:

(A) Credentials that qualify for the different types of credential categories described in the measure; and

(B) Programs that are recognized as qualified industry-credential programs;

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

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for 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. 2826, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2826, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair