STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1225-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2943

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 2943, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a Commercial Drivers Workforce Working Group to address the State's current and future needs for commercial driver's license holders.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Department of Education; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Hawaii Food Industry Association; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that as the State is geographically isolated from the mainland United States, efficient transportation is critical for the survival of Hawaii's population and tourism industry. Your Committee further finds that because storage space is limited within the State, commercial driver's license holders play a pivotal role in moving shipments from docks and airports to store shelves. Your Committee notes that this measure is a step toward addressing the growing crisis of a shortage of commercial drivers by establishing a working group to develop and implement a strategic plan that encourages employment in the commercial driver's field to ensure the State's economic and social well‑being.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Dissolving the working group on June 30, 2025;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2943, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2943, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair