Bill Text: HI SB1351 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: UH Hilo; Chancellor

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [SB1351 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-SB1351-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 284

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1351

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committees on Higher Education and Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 1351 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to establish the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.

 

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association; Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, and Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawai‘i.  The University of Hawai‘i System submitted comments.  Copies of written testimony are available for review on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committees have heard that the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo has had remarkable growth in its research effort in the first seven years of this decade, including increases of 462.5 per cent in funding and 341 per cent in the number of awards.  The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development proposed in this measure would serve a vital coordinating function in ensuring the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo continues to attract research funding, carry out quality research, and provide research training for both undergraduate and graduate students.

 

     Your Committees are very supportive of the Interim Vice Chancellor and his efforts to bring the campus and community together for the benefit of both.  Your Committees also understand the importance of maintaining the current momentum, particularly in a region that has one of the highest unemployment rates in the State.

 

     However, your Committees are also concerned about the long‑term costs of establishing and maintaining such an Office.  Your Committees have heard that much of the funding for the Office would be through federal grants, private investment, and other "soft moneys", and your Committees commend the proponents of this measure for considering these alternatives.  Your Committees believe that given the current economic uncertainties, this measure will benefit from further legislative discussion.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure to clarify that the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development shall be under the direction of a Vice Chancellor, to more accurately reflect the language in other University statutes.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Economic Development and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1351, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1351, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Economic Development and Technology,

 

____________________________ CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair		____________________________ JILL TOKUDA, Chair