STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1556

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 116

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 116 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO ESTABLISH BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS IN AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY, FOOD SCIENCE, AND EDUCATION AT LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the University of Hawaii Community Colleges to establish baccalaureate degree programs in agricultural technology, food science, and education at Leeward Community College.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System.

Your Committee finds that leeward and central Oahu are in need of agricultural technology, food technology, and teaching programs. The need for agricultural technology and food technology programs stems from the predicted retirement of many of the State's farmers, who are nearing retirement age. Without new farmers, food production in the State will decline. Accessible agricultural technology and food technology programs can help draw students to farming and increase the number of new farmers in the State.

Your Committee notes the concerns that, per discussion with the University of Hawaii, establishing baccalaureate degree programs at Leeward Community College would require substantial changes with the College's accreditation body and would be contingent upon the University of Hawaii's review and approval. Amendments to this measure are therefore necessary to address these concerns.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Urging the University of Hawaii West Oahu, rather than the University of Hawaii Leeward Community College, to establish baccalaureate degree programs in agricultural technology, food science, and education;

(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 116, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 116, S.D. 1.

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

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair