STAND. COM. REP. NO. 987-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1654

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1654, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a Qualified Internship Grant Program to provide grants to businesses and organizations that provide qualified interns with work-based learning experiences through a qualified internship program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Special Education Advisory Council; Kohala Coast Resort Association; Hawaii Business Roundtable; Watanabe Floral, Inc.; Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce; Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; ACT; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Alzheimer's Association; FCH Enterprises, Inc.; Zippy's Restaurants; Hawaiian Telcom; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; HawaiiKidsCAN; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1654, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair