STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1761

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.R. No. 142

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.R. No. 142 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO STRENGTHEN THE CENTER FOR LABOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII WEST OAHU BY ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN VISION FOR THE CENTERS PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the University of Hawaii to strengthen the Center for Labor Education and Research at the University of Hawaii West Oahu by establishing a working group to develop a community-driven vision for the Center's programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; University of Hawai‘i – West Oahu; United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; Hawai‘i State AFL-CIO; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1186; Hawai‘i State Teachers Association; Sailors Union of the Pacific; UNITE HERE Local 5; Hawaii Laborers & Employers Cooperation and Education Trust; and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Center for Labor Education and Research at the University of Hawaii West Oahu was established in 1976 and provides labor education, research and labor-related programs to workers, their organizations, university students, and the public through credit and non-credit classes, seminars, workshops, publications, and public media. Your Committee further finds that the University invests resources in degree-granting programs to provide advanced degrees to employers, human resource managers, and business administrators, and recently approved, through its Board of Regents, a Labor Studies Certificate program at the West Oahu campus for those interested in pursuing an academic labor studies program. A working group to develop a community-driven vision for the Center's programs will support the Center's multi-faceted work and help to ensure it continues to address community needs.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 142 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair