HB 617: RELATING TO NURSING.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2025-02-10
Current Status:
Failed
(2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Appropriates funds to establish the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Appropriates funds to establish the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College. Appropriates funds.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
617 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to nursing.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that the county of Maui is the largest county in the State without a college or university bachelor of science in nursing degree program. The university of Hawaii Maui college's nursing program offers two degrees: a certificate of achievement and an associate in science nursing. Students who earn an associate in science nursing must then transfer to the bachelor of science in nursing pathway at the university of Hawaii at Manoa to further their education.
The legislature believes that offering a bachelor of science in nursing program at the university of Hawaii Maui college can help to increase the supply of nurse graduates, reduce the nursing workforce shortage, and allow Maui nursing students to remain on Maui during their entire course of study.
The legislature declares that the establishment of a bachelor of science in nursing program in the county of Maui is a matter of statewide concern.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys for the establishment of a bachelor of science in nursing degree program at the university of Hawaii Maui college.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to meet the increased demand for prerequisite courses by students newly enrolled in the bachelor of science in nursing degree program at the university of Hawaii Maui college.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for additional personnel associated with establishment of the bachelor of science in nursing degree program at the university of Hawaii Maui college.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for supplies, equipment, and simulation and laboratory upgrades associated with the establishment of the bachelor of science in nursing degree program at the university of Hawaii Maui college.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for instructional costs associated with providing third year of nursing courses following the establishment of the bachelor of science in nursing degree program at the university of Hawaii Maui college.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Nursing; UH Maui College; BS Nursing Established; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to establish the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
617 |
|
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to nursing.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that the county of Maui is the largest county in the State without a college or university bachelor of science in nursing degree program. The university of Hawaii Maui college's nursing program offers two degrees: a certificate of achievement and an associate in science nursing. Students who earn an associate in science nursing must then transfer to the bachelor of science in nursing pathway at the university of Hawaii at Manoa to further their education.
The legislature believes that offering a bachelor of science in nursing program at the university of Hawaii Maui college can help to increase the supply of nurse graduates, reduce the nursing workforce shortage, and allow Maui nursing students to remain on Maui during their entire course of study.
The legislature declares that the establishment of a bachelor of science in nursing program in the county of Maui is a matter of statewide concern.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys for the establishment of a bachelor of science in nursing degree program at the university of Hawaii Maui college.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the sum of $60,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to meet the increased demand for prerequisite courses by students newly enrolled in the bachelor of science in nursing degree program at the university of Hawaii Maui college.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $90,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the sum of $60,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for additional personnel associated with establishment of the bachelor of science in nursing degree program at the university of Hawaii Maui college.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $60,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for supplies, equipment, and simulation and laboratory upgrades associated with establishment of the bachelor of science in nursing degree program at the university of Hawaii Maui college.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for instructional costs associated with providing a third year of nursing courses following the establishment of the bachelor of science in nursing degree program at the university of Hawaii Maui college.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
Nursing; UH Maui College; BS Nursing Established; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to establish the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College. Appropriates funds.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Dec 8, 2025 | Carried over to 2026 Regular Session. |
| Feb 11, 2025 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2). |
| Feb 11, 2025 | Reported from HED (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 402) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. |
| Feb 5, 2025 | The committee on HED recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Garrett, Amato, Evslin, Kapela, La Chica, Olds, Sayama, Woodson, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Kila. |
| Jan 31, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by HED on Wednesday, 02-05-25 2:00PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Jan 21, 2025 | Referred to HED, FIN, referral sheet 2 |
| Jan 21, 2025 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| Jan 17, 2025 | Pending introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Feb 5, 2025 | The committee on HED recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Higher Education |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi-American Nurses Association | ** Support | |
| Healthcare Association of Hawaii | ** Support | |
| Office of Hawaiian Affairs | ** Support | |
| University of Hawaiʻi System | *** Support | Feb 5, 2025 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 402
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 617
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 617 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NURSING,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing; Hawaiʻi-American Nurses Association; Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; and nine individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from University of Hawaiʻi System and one individual.
Your Committee finds that the State faces a growing nursing workforce shortage. Your Committee further finds that Maui County is the largest county in the State without a college or university Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. Your Committee believes that offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at the University of Hawaii Maui College will increase the supply of nursing graduates, reduce the nursing workforce shortage, and allow Maui nursing students to remain on Maui during their entire course of study.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider the following appropriation amounts:
(1) $100,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $60,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for prerequisite courses by students newly enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College;
(2) $90,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $60,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for additional personnel associated with establishment of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College;
(3) $60,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and fiscal year 2026-2027 for supplies, equipment, and simulation and laboratory upgrades associated with establishment of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College; and
(4) $250,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 for instructional costs associated with providing a third year of nursing courses following the establishment of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College.
Your Committee further requests your Committee on Finance to consider including the appropriations contained in this measure in the base budget of the University of Hawaii through the state budget.
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 H.B. No. 617, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 617, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,
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____________________________ ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Feb 5, 2025 | HB617_TESTIMONY_HED-EDN_02-05-25_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
7MIN
House Standing Committee on Education
7MIN
House Standing Committee on Higher Education
Bill Author
