STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2585

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3050

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 3050 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A MARITIME YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAY PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require Honolulu Community College, in partnership with state agencies and maritime employers, to conduct a study and develop a plan for a statewide Maritime Youth Apprenticeship Pathway Program for individuals ages sixteen to twenty-four;

(2) Require a report to the Legislature with recommendations on program structure, resource needs, proposed legislation and implementation options; and

(3) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Transportation Association, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, The Maritime Group, Hawaiʻi Harbors Users Group, Kapolei Chamber of Commerce, and two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that without targeted workforce development, the State risks increased reliance on out-of-state labor and potential disruptions to the critically important maritime sector, which is directly tied to the State's economy, food security, energy supply, and overall cost of living. Therefore, a skilled maritime workforce is critical to the State and merits strategic investment. Your Committee further finds that an apprenticeship model offers an ideal workforce development mechanism capable of adapting to the industry's evolving needs while providing upward mobility opportunities for local youth. This measure offers an integral first step towards developing a sustainable local workforce pipeline for the maritime sector.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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 Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3050, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3050, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair