Bills

SCR 193: REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS AND OTHER INNOVATIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS THAT DIRECTLY ALIGN WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND INDUSTRY NEEDS WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGION OF SERVICE.

Session Year: 2025-2026
House: Senate
Latest Version Date: 2025-04-10

Current Status:

In Progress

(2025-04-11: Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on LAB as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Matayoshi excused (3).)

Introduced

In Committee

First Chamber

In Committee

Second Chamber

Final Decking

Enacted

Version:

REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS AND OTHER INNOVATIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS THAT DIRECTLY ALIGN WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND INDUSTRY NEEDS WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGION OF SERVICE.

Version:

SCR193 HD1

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	193
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the State's economic vitality depends on a skilled workforce that meets the needs of key regional industries, including tourism and hospitality, agriculture, marine research, renewable energy, and health care; and

WHEREAS, each of the University of Hawaii Community Colleges plays a vital role in providing accessible, regionally‑relevant higher education that supports local economic development; and

WHEREAS, aligning academic programs with current and emerging job opportunities in each region will benefit students, local employers, and the overall economic growth of the State; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii Community Colleges are requested to develop a comprehensive list of bachelor's degree programs and other innovative workforce development pathways that directly align with job opportunities and industry needs within their respective region of service; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in developing the list, the University of Hawaii Community Colleges are requested to:

(1) Evaluate the regional economic drivers and their respective areas of strength and align programming accordingly; and

(2) Consider current job needs and future workforce trends in their evaluation of their respective programs to allow for a more adaptable and forward-looking approach to curriculum development; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii Community Colleges are requested to collaborate with local industry leaders and stakeholders to ensure these programs are designed in accordance with current labor market data, future workforce trends, and the specific economic needs of each region; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the University of Hawaii and Vice President for Community Colleges of the University of Hawaii.

Report Title:

University of Hawaii Community Colleges; Workforce Development

SCR193 SD1

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	193
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the University of Hawaii Community CollegeS to develop a comprehensive list of Bachelor's degree programs and other innovative workforce development pathways that directly align with job opportunities and industry needs within THEIR RESPECTIVE region of service.

WHEREAS, each of the University of Hawaii Community Colleges plays a vital role in providing accessible, regionally‑relevant higher education that supports local economic development; and

WHEREAS, aligning academic programs with current and emerging job opportunities in each region will benefit students, local employers, and the overall economic growth of the State; now, therefore,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in developing the list, the University of Hawaii Community Colleges are requested to:

(1) Evaluate the regional economic drivers and their respective areas of strength and align programming accordingly; and

(2) Consider current job needs and future workforce trends in its evaluation of its programs to allow for a more adaptable and forward-looking approach to curriculum development; and

Report Title:

University of Hawaii Community Colleges; Workforce Development

SCR193

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	193
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the University of Hawaii Community CollegeS to develop a comprehensive list of Bachelor's degree programs that directly align with job opportunities and industry needs within THEIR RESPECTIVE region of service.

WHEREAS, each of the University of Hawaii Community Colleges plays a vital role in providing accessible, regionally‑relevant higher education that supports local economic development; and

WHEREAS, aligning academic programs with current and emerging job opportunities in each region will benefit students, local employers, and the overall economic growth of the State; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii Community Colleges are requested to develop a comprehensive list of Bachelor's degree programs that directly align with job opportunities and industry needs within their respective region of service; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED in developing the list, the University of Hawaii Community Colleges are requested to evaluate the regional economic drivers and their respective areas of strength and align programming accordingly; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the University of Hawaii Community Colleges are requested to collaborate with local industry leaders and stakeholders to ensure these programs are designed in accordance with current labor market data and the specific economic needs of each region; and

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

University of Hawaii Community Colleges; Workforce Development

Date	Status
Apr 11, 2025	Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on LAB as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Matayoshi excused (3).
Apr 11, 2025	Reported from HED (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2048) as amended in HD 1, recommending referral to LAB.
Apr 9, 2025	The committee on HED recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Garrett, Kapela, Kila, La Chica, Olds, Sayama, Muraoka; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 4 Excused: Representative(s) Amato, Evslin, Woodson, Souza.
Apr 4, 2025	Resolution scheduled to be heard by HED on Wednesday, 04-09-25 2:00PM in conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
Apr 4, 2025	Referred to HED, LAB, referral sheet 28
Apr 1, 2025	Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 443) in amended form (SD 1).
Apr 1, 2025	Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD1). Transmitted to House.
Mar 31, 2025	One Day Notice 04-01-25.
Mar 31, 2025	Reported from HRE (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1371) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).
Mar 20, 2025	The committee(s) on HRE recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HRE were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, Hashimoto; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga, Fevella.
Mar 17, 2025	The committee(s) on HRE has scheduled a public hearing on 03-20-25 3:01PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
Mar 12, 2025	Referred to HRE.
Mar 7, 2025	Offered.

Date	Description	Location	Votes
Apr 9, 2025	The committee on HED recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	House Standing Committee on Higher Education	7 0 4 Passed
Mar 20, 2025	The committee(s) on HRE recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	Senate Standing Committee on Higher Education	3 0 2 Passed

Key

Pro

Against

Did Not Vote

HSCR2048 Patrick Comiso HSCR.dotm clerk2 2 1 2004-10-13T00:57:00Z 2025-04-11T03:39:00Z 2025-04-11T03:39:00Z 2 366 2105 HSCR template, revision no. 00005 23353 81 23 2472 16.00 00005 Print 89 0 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2048

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.C.R. No. 193

S.D. 1

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 S.C.R. No. 193, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS AND OTHER INNOVATIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS THAT DIRECTLY ALIGN WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND INDUSTRY NEEDS WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGION OF SERVICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the University of Hawaii Community Colleges to develop a comprehensive list of bachelor's degree programs and other innovative workforce development pathways that directly align with job opportunities and industry needs within their respective region of service.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's economic vitality depends on a skilled workforce that meets the needs of key regional industries. Your Committee further finds that each of the University of Hawaii Community Colleges play a vital role in providing accessible, regionally‑relevant higher education that supports local economic development. Your Committee believes that the University of Hawaii Community Colleges can best support the economic needs within their respective region of service by developing a comprehensive list of Bachelor's degree programs and other innovative workforce development pathways that directly align with job opportunities and industry needs within their respective region of service.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 193, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Labor in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 193, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair

SSCR1371 SMA SSCR Ainoa Naniole 2 51 2025-03-28T18:02:00Z 2025-03-29T02:27:00Z 2025-03-29T02:27:00Z 3 502 2958 House of Representatives 22455 104 27 3458 16.00 Print 0 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1371

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 193

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 193 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTLY ALIGN WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND INDUSTRY NEEDS WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGION OF SERVICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the University of Hawaii Community Colleges to develop a comprehensive list of bachelor's degree programs that directly align with job opportunities and industry needs within their respective region of service.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System and University of Hawaii Professional Assembly.

Your Committee finds that the State's economic vitality depends on a skilled workforce that meets the needs of key regional industries, including tourism and hospitality, agriculture, marine research, renewable energy, and health care. Your Committee further finds that each of the University of Hawaii Community Colleges plays a vital role in providing accessible, regionally-relevant higher education that supports local economic development. This measure will align academic programs offered at the University of Hawaii Community Colleges with current and emerging job opportunities in each region to benefit students, local employers, and the overall economic growth of the State.

Your Committee notes the concern raised by the University of Hawaii System that focusing exclusively on bachelor's degree programs may limit the flexibility to offer academic pathways that anticipate future workforce trends. Your Committee finds that expanding the scope of this measure to account for future workforce trends and other innovative workforce development pathways, including micro-credentials, will better address the State's workforce needs in a more sustainable, efficient, and equitable manner.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language that requests University of Hawaii Community Colleges to include workforce development pathways other than bachelor's degree programs in its comprehensive list of programs that directly align with job opportunities and industry needs within their respective region of service;

(2) Inserting language requesting the University of Hawaii Community Colleges to consider current job needs and future workforce trends in developing the list;

(3) Specifying that the University of Hawaii Community Colleges are requested to include future workforce trends in its assessment of these programs in collaboration with local industry leaders and stakeholders;

(4) Amending its title accordingly; and

(5) 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 193, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 193, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair

Date	Testimony PDF
Apr 9, 2025	SCR193_SD1_TESTIMONY_HED_04-09-25_.PDF
Mar 20, 2025	SCR193_TESTIMONY_HRE_03-20-25_.PDF

Discussed in Hearing

48SEC

House Standing Committee on Higher Education

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SCR193_HD1 (4/10/2025)