HB631

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	631
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Occupational licensing reform task force.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that occupational licensing is a barrier to economic freedom for many people. Hawaii has over one hundred eighty professional and vocational license. As an example, needing a license to braid hair is over regulation. This Act creates a task force to review the current licensing requirements and establish a legislative framework that will provide consumers the ability to choose whom to receive goods and services from, regardless of whether the seller or provider is licensed by a regulatory agency within Hawaii.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established an occupational licensing task force to consist of the following members:

(1) A representative from the department of commerce and consumer affairs' regulated industries complaints office;

(2) A representative from the division of professional and vocational licensing department of commerce and consumer affairs;

(3) Three representatives from the various boards under the purview of the department of commerce and consumer affairs appointed by the director;

(4) two members from the business community to be appointed by the governor;

(5) The chair of the house committee on consumer protection & commerce or the chair's designee; and

(6) The chair of the senate committee on commerce, consumer protection, or the chair's designee.

(b) The task force shall investigate the current occupational licensing requirements in the state. The investigation shall include, but is not limited to:

(1) Identification of any current occupational licenses that are not necessary for the health and safety of the consumer;

(2) Identification of occupational license requirements that can be reduced and without harm to the consumer;

(3) Identification of licenses that can be replaced with bonding or insurance requirements, inspections, or private certifications;

(4) Propose legislation that would allow for more consumer choice, more business opportunities, and less regulation; and

(5) Identify any fiscal impact to the State and propose mechanisms to mitigate that impact.

(c) The task force shall submit a preliminary report of its findings to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024.

(d) The task force shall submit the final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.

(e) The task force shall serve until it has accomplished the purpose of this Act or twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025, whichever occurs first.

(f) The members of the task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed by the department of commerce and consumer affairs for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred for service on the task force. No member of the task force shall be made subject to section 84-17, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation on the task force. The task force shall be exempt from chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

(g) The chair of the house committee on consumer protection & commerce, or the chair's designee, and the chair of the senate committee on commerce, consumer protection, and health, or the chair's designee, shall convene the task force. The task force shall be administratively supported by the department of commerce and consumer affairs.

SECTION 3. 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 for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purposes of this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of commerce and consumer affairs for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________