HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

399

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to the University of hawaii.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the goals and missions of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, as a research university, are different and sometimes conflict with the goals and missions of the University of Hawaii-West Oahu, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and the University of Hawaii community colleges.  The legislature further finds that separating the University into three separate systems, one for the community colleges, one for the solely undergraduate universities, and one for research, will lead to greater efficiency and better management of state higher education.

     The legislature also finds that the organizational structure of the University of Hawaii system and the finances of the University of Hawaii to be matters of statewide concern.

     The purpose of this Act is to separate the University of Hawaii system into three independent parts:

     (1)  A system of community colleges focused on granting associate degrees and certifications, consisting of the community colleges;

     (2)  A system of undergraduate universities focused on teaching, consisting of the University of Hawaii, West Oahu campus, and the University of Hawaii at Hilo; and

     (3)  A system of research institutions consisting of the University of Hawaii at Manoa and other programs.

     This Act also requires that the University of Hawaii at Manoa be self-sufficient and receive no state funding.

     SECTION 2.  Section 37-66, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§37-66[]]  Responsibilities of the legislature.  (a)  The legislature shall:

     (1)  Consider the long-range plans, including the proposed objectives and policies, the six-year state program and financial plan, and the budget and revenue proposals recommended by the governor and any alternatives thereto[.];

     (2)  Adopt programs and the state budget, and appropriate moneys to implement the programs it deems appropriate[.];

     (3)  Adopt [such] other legislation as necessary to implement state programs[.]; and

     (4)  Review the implementation of the state budget and program accomplishments and execution of legislative policy direction.  Implementation of the state budget and program management, execution, and performance shall be subject to post-audits by the auditor who shall report the auditor's findings and recommendations to the legislature as provided in chapter 23.

     (b)  The legislature shall not appropriate general funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa or any program within the University of Hawaii system of research institutions.  All funds appropriated in conflict with this paragraph shall lapse to the credit of the general fund."

     SECTION 3.  (a)  No later than July 1, 2022, the University of Hawaii system shall separate into three distinct systems:

     (1)  A University of Hawaii system of community colleges focused on granting associate degrees and certifications, consisting of the community colleges;

     (2)  A University of Hawaii system of undergraduate universities focused on teaching, consisting of the University of Hawaii, West Oahu campus, and the University of Hawaii at Hilo; and

     (3)  A University of Hawaii system of research institutions consisting of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the various research units, and other programs located at or near the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

     (b)  Each system shall have an independent board of regents appointed in the same manner as the current board of regents.

     (c)  The current board of regents, University of Hawaii president, and other University of Hawaii system positions and entities shall be converted to corresponding positions and entities of the University of Hawaii system of research institutions.

     SECTION 5.  No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 regular legislative sessions, the University of Hawaii shall submit a report to the legislature on the progress of separating the University of Hawaii system into three parts pursuant to section 4 of this Act and in making the components of the future University of Hawaii system of research institutions financially self-sufficient.  The reports shall include:

     (1)  The progress on separating the University of Hawaii system into three systems;

     (2)  Implemented and proposed organizational charts;

     (3)  Financial plans to make the University of Hawaii at Manoa and components of the future University of Hawaii system of research institutions self-sufficient so that they may operate without general fund appropriations by the legislature, including plans to fund positions currently funded by general funds; and

     (4)  Proposed legislation to effectuate the purpose of this Act.

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

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 2 shall take effect July 1, 2022.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Community Colleges; Research; Undergraduate; Separation

 

Description:

Requires UH to separate into three parts: a community colleges system, an undergraduate consisting of UH-WO and UHH, and a research system consisting of UHM, entities at UHM, and other UH research units.

 

 

 

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