HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2047

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the institute FOR astronomy.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the institute for astronomy has facilities on Mauna Kea and Haleakala and in Manoa Valley.  The majority of the institute's facilities and equipment is located on Mauna Kea on Hawaii island, the most productive astronomy site in the world.  Conversely, the majority of the institute's approximately two hundred employees are located at the University of Hawaii at Manoa on Oahu.

     The legislature finds that the University of Hawaii is one of the most significant economic drivers in the State.  Additionally, it is the State’s leading engine for economic growth and diversification, stimulating the local economy with jobs, research, and skilled workers.

     The legislature finds that supporting and growing industries on neighbor islands is a matter of statewide concern. 

     The legislature finds that the county of Hawaii lags behind the rest of the State in many key economic indicators.  The Hawaii county unemployment rate is 3.2 per cent while it is two per cent statewide and 17.1 per cent of county residents between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four are neither employed nor in school as compared to 10.8 per cent statewide.  Additionally, the Hawaii county median household income is approximately $20,000 less than the statewide median and 19.5 per cent of Hawaii county residents have incomes at or below the poverty line compared to 10.6 per cent of residents statewide.

     The purpose of this Act is to stimulate economic growth in Hawaii county by transferring administrative authority, personnel, and all facilities for the institute for astronomy currently located at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

     SECTION 2.  All rights, powers, functions, and duties of the University of Hawaii institute for astronomy located at the University of Hawaii at Manoa as of June 30, 2018 are transferred to the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

     All employees who occupy civil service positions and whose functions are transferred to the University of Hawaii at Hilo by this Act shall retain their civil service status, whether permanent or temporary.  Employees shall be transferred without loss of salary, seniority (except as prescribed by applicable collective bargaining agreements), retention points, prior service credit, any vacation and sick leave credits previously earned, and other rights, benefits, and privileges, in accordance with state personnel laws and this Act; provided that the employees possess the minimum qualifications and public employment requirements for the class or position to which transferred or appointed, as applicable; provided further that subsequent changes in status may be made pursuant to applicable civil service and compensation laws.

     Any employee who, prior to this Act, is exempt from civil service and is transferred as a consequence of this Act may retain the employee's exempt status, but shall not be appointed to a civil service position as a consequence of this Act.  An exempt employee who is transferred by this Act shall not suffer any loss of prior service credit, vacation or sick leave credits previously earned, or other employee benefits or privileges as a consequence of this Act; provided that the employees possess legal and public employment requirements for the position to which transferred or appointed, as applicable; provided further that subsequent changes in status may be made pursuant to applicable employment and compensation laws.  The director of the University of Hawaii institute for astronomy may prescribe the duties and qualifications of these employees and fix their salaries without regard to chapter 76, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     SECTION 3.  All appropriations, records, equipment, machines, files, supplies, contracts, books, papers, documents, maps, and other personal property heretofore made, used, acquired, or held by the University of Hawaii at Manoa relating to the functions transferred to the University of Hawaii at Hilo shall be transferred with the functions to which they relate.

     SECTION 4.  The director of the institute for astronomy shall consult with the chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo to develop a strategic plan to:

     (1)  Promote interest in and awareness of the field of astronomy and the activity of the institute for astronomy in particular; and

     (2)  Increase employment and scholastic opportunities for residents of the island of Hawaii, including opportunities relating to astronomy facility renovation and construction, administrative and support services, and technical and scientific activities.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 



 

Report Title:

Institute for Astronomy; University of Hawaii

 

Description:

Transfers administrative authority, personnel, and facilities for the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy currently located at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.