Report Title:

Economic Development; University of Hawaii

Description:

Allows the state board for career and technical education (UH regents) to establish the qualifications of persons teaching business, health services, human services, hospitality services, and family and consumer services in colleges or schools accepting federal aid; requires career and technical education coordinating advisory council to advise the board of education and the UH regents on policies, programs, and services affecting career and technical education and the impact of workforce changes and economic plans on career and technical program quality and output; clarifies appointment of council members from workforce development council.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1222

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that recent workforce and economic reports reveal that Hawaii’s economy is creating few jobs and the labor force is growing almost as slowly as the number of jobs. Non-agricultural wage and salary jobs in Hawaii increased by less than 1.6 per cent from 1992-2000, to 551,350 jobs. Workforce and economic analysts agree that this slow growth is a long-term trend stemming from the looming retirement of the baby boom generation, i.e. those born between 1946 and 1964, and the lower numbers to replace them in the succeeding generation. Analysts have warned that the exit of baby boomers from the workforce is already impacting the workforce and may result in severe labor shortages, slow economic growth, and declining quality of life unless steps are taken to counter these effects.

This aging of the workforce, according to the U.S. Census, will be more serious in Hawaii than in the nation as a whole because of Hawaii’s higher proportion of older people with 29.9 percent age 35-54, and the lower proportion of the younger population with 27.7 per cent age 15-34.

The legislature further finds that the lack of an adequate supply of labor can be detrimental to the State’s economic expansion and diversification of new and high wage jobs. The availability of labor, especially knowledge and skilled workers, is the most important factor in attracting high wage, high skilled industries like technology and science-based companies to invest in workers and locate in Hawaii.

In order to respond to the wide range of workforce measures that need to be addressed, Hawaii has an informal system of workforce related programs and activities that already exists. This network begins in early education, continues through K-16, includes a variety of transition programs in employment, unemployment and reemployment services, peaks in the active working years, and even extends into the retirement years when many seniors find it necessary to supplement their income with part-time employment.

The inventory of workforce programs compiled annually by the Hawaii workforce development council (WDC) lists twenty-five programs totaling $78.3 million in federal funds and about $25 million in state funds in fiscal year 2002. The WDC'S 2003 workforce report to the governor will contain a resource map of these programs emphasizing the importance of the connections between the education and workforce systems.

The legislature further finds that:

(1) The basic mission of the education system, both for lower and higher education, is not only to prepare people for citizenship and individual self-realization but also to earn a living; and

(2) Workforce development must be part of economic development strategic planning; i.e., workforce development must act with economic development to attract business creation, expansion and changes.

The purpose of this Act is to directly link workforce changes and economic plans with educational preparation through:

(1) Allowing the state board for career and technical education to establish the qualifications of persons teaching business, health services, human services, hospitality services, and family and consumer services in colleges or schools accepting federal aid; and

(2) Requiring career and technical education coordinating advisory council to advise the board of education and the board of regents on policies, programs, and services affecting career and technical education and the impact of workforce changes and economic plans on career and technical program quality and output.

SECTION 2. Section 305A-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§305A-3 Board's power and authority. (a) The [board] state board for career and technical education may [cooperate]:

(1) Cooperate with the United States Department of [Health,] Education [and Welfare] in the administration of the provisions of the Acts of Congress mentioned in section 305A-1, and do all things necessary to entitle the State to receive the benefits of each of the respective funds appropriated by such Acts[; represent];

(2) Represent the State in any and all matters arising out of or connected with the administration of such Acts of Congress insofar as the same shall apply to the State; represent the State in any or all matters in reference to the expenditure, distribution, and disbursements of moneys received from such Acts[; designate];

(3) Designate such colleges, schools, departments, or classes as may be entitled to participate in the benefits of moneys received from the appropriations made in such Acts as in its judgment and discretion will best [subserve] serve the interests of career and technical education in the State and carry out the spirit, purposes, and provisions of such Acts of Congress[; establish];

(4) Establish and determine by general regulations, the qualifications to be possessed by persons teaching agricultural, trade, [industrial, and home economics] business, health services, human services, hospitality services, and family and consumer sciences subjects in the colleges or schools coming under the provisions of such Acts of Congress in the State; and [enforce]

(5) Enforce rules and regulations concerning the granting of certificates and licenses to such teachers and to certificate such teachers.

(b) The state board for career and technical education may delegate some of its responsibilities relating to the establishment of qualifications for and certification or licensing of career and technical teachers. The board shall make an annual report to the governor describing the conditions and progress of career and technical education during the year and include therein an itemized statement showing the receipts and expenditures of all moneys used in connection with such education."

SECTION 3. Section 305A-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§305A-4 Career and technical education coordinating advisory council. There is established a career and technical education coordinating advisory council which shall serve in an advisory capacity to the board of regents[.] and the board of education, to advise on policies, programs, and services affecting career and technical education and the impact of workforce changes and economic plans on appropriate career and technical program quality and output. The council shall consist of eleven members, nine appointed and two ex officio voting members. Of the nine appointed members:

(1) Three shall be appointed from the board of regents of the University of Hawaii by the chairperson of that body;

(2) Three shall be appointed from the board of education by the chairperson of that body; and

(3) Three shall be appointed from the workforce development council, established under section 202-1, by [that council.] the chairperson of the workforce development council.

Of the three members appointed from the workforce development council, one member shall represent management, one member shall represent labor, and the third shall represent the public. Of the two ex officio members one shall be the president of the University of Hawaii and the other shall be the superintendent of education.

Of the three members first appointed by each appointing authority, other than the chairperson of the board of education, one shall be appointed for two years, one shall be appointed for three years, and one shall be appointed for four years. In the case of the members appointed from the board of education, the terms of such members shall be for their remaining terms as members of the board of education. Upon the expiration of the terms of the first members, their successors shall serve for a term of four years. Vacancies shall be filled by the appropriate appointing authority for the unexpired term.

The council shall elect a chairperson and such other officers as it deems necessary. Section 92-15 shall apply. The members of the council shall serve without pay but shall be entitled to their traveling expenses within the State when attending meetings of the council or when actually engaged in business relating to the work of the council."

SECTION 5. If any part of this Act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition for the receipt or allocation of federal funds to the State, the conflicting part of this Act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected. The rules under this Act shall meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the State.

SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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