HB532 HD1

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	532
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Ko education center, formerly known as the north Hawaii education and research center, provides accessible education opportunities for students from all over the northern part of Hawaii island and the Hamakua coast. In 2019, community and campus discussions were held, which resulted in a strategy proposal, leading to a renaming of the research center to Ko education center and transferring it from the University of Hawaii at Hilo to Hawaii community college. However, due to the timing of the transfer and the economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the Ko education center lost access to sixty-seven per cent of its permanent positions. Of the six positions lost, five were committed to instruction and student support. Since 2020, all roles other than buildings and grounds maintenance have been performed by the center's director, temporary hires, and casual help from student employees. The legislature believes that for the Ko education center to fully accomplish its mission and reopen the center's facilities for the benefit of the community, additional funding to restore staff positions is needed.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for positions at the Ko education center within Hawaii community college.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the salaries and fringe benefits of the following full-time equivalent (FTE) permanent positions:

(1) $ for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) auxiliary and facility services officer;

(2) $ for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) career and technical education and career pathways specialist;

(3) $ for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) lab coordinator for the new career and technical education wing of the Ko education center;

(4) $ for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) administration and fiscal specialist; and

(5) $ for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) faculty for programs in the new career and technical education wing of the Ko education center.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000.