STAND. COM. REP. NO. 281

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     S.B. No. 1512

        S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1512 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CREATIVE MEDIA,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the University of Hawaii, West Oahu campus, to offer a Bachelor's degree in creative media.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii System; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Washington Place; Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; and thirteen individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the film, television, and digital media industry in Hawaii can and should be strengthened.  Currently, the University of Hawaii, West Oahu campus, offers a Bachelor's of Applied Science degree with a concentration in creative media and a Bachelor's of Humanities degree with a concentration in creative media.  However, prospective employers may not see these degrees on the same level as a Bachelor's of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa or other universities.  This measure would provide a much needed degree for students pursuing creative media and develop and expand a locally trained creative media industry workforce.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Specifying that the University of Hawaii, West Oahu campus, shall offer a Bachelor's of Arts degree in creative media;

 

     (2)  Inserting language that specifies that the University of Hawaii System and Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii shall pass, finalize, and approve, including seeking approval from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges for, the Bachelor's of Arts degree in creative media by May 1, 2019; and

 

     (3)  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 Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1512, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1512, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair