REPORT TITLE:
University of Hawaii


DESCRIPTION:
Allows the Hawaiian Language College to contract in the Hawaiian
language when contracting directly with providers.  Also repeals
language prohibiting the use of general funds for the Hawaiian
Language College.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        967
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                H.B. NO.           H.D. 1
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE COLLEGE.



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

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Hawaiian language
 
 2 college was established at the University of Hawaii at Hilo in
 
 3 1997 to serve as a focal point for the revitalization of the
 
 4 Hawaiian language.  As can be expected, questions were raised
 
 5 about this new college during its beginnings.  However, since
 
 6 then the commitment of the faculty and the progress made by the
 
 7 college have demonstrated its viability and relevance to the
 
 8 community.
 
 9      One of the problems faced by the Hawaiian language college
 
10 is the prohibition from using general funds for its operations.
 
11 The college has proven that it can be a relevant part of the
 
12 university and that it can make meaningful contributions to the
 
13 community, so this prohibition should be repealed.
 
14      Another problem is that the college is required by statute
 
15 to contract with the research corporation of the University of
 
16 Hawaii (RCUH) for research and training activities that cannot be
 
17 provided by state agencies.  Since the Hawaiian language college
 
18 has decided to conduct its business in the Hawaiian language, it
 
19 is difficult to do business with RCUH, which is set up to operate
 
20 in the English language.  It should be noted that the Hawaiian
 

 
Page 2                                                     967
                                     H.B. NO.           H.D. 1
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 language is one of the two official languages of the State (the
 
 2 other being English).  An exception should be made to allow the
 
 3 college to contract directly with providers.
 
 4      Allowing the Hawaiian language college to be funded with
 
 5 general funds and allowing it to contract directly with providers
 
 6 will enable it to expand and operate more efficiently.
 
 7      SECTION 2.  Section 304-10.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
 
 8 amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
 
 9      "(a)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when the
 
10 university determines that neither the university nor another
 
11 state agency can more effectively or efficiently accomplish the
 
12 purposes of the sponsored research and training activities, the
 
13 university [shall] may contract with the [Research Corporation]
 
14 research corporation of the University of Hawaii established
 
15 under chapter 307 to provide management and other services as
 
16 described in subsection (b) to support the university's research
 
17 and training activities[.], except that, when conducting business
 
18 in the Hawaiian language, the college of Hawaiian language may
 
19 contract directly with providers.  Contracts by the university
 
20 with the research corporation pursuant to this section shall be
 
21 limited to sponsored research and training projects, except that
 
22 university projects supported by state-appropriated funds may
 
23 also be contracted to the research corporation pursuant to rules
 

 
Page 3                                                     967
                                     H.B. NO.           H.D. 1
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 adopted by the university."
 
 2      SECTION 3.  Section 5 of Act 315, Session Laws of Hawaii
 
 3 1997, is amended to read as follows:
 
 4      "SECTION 5.  [Notwithstanding any law to the contrary,
 
 5 general funds shall not be appropriated to fund the continuation
 
 6 of the Hawaiian language college at the University of Hawaii at
 
 7 Hilo if initial funds are deemed inadequate or become
 
 8 unavailable.]  The University of Hawaii shall continue to work
 
 9 with the office of Hawaiian affairs, the federal government, and
 
10 'Aha Punana Leo, Inc., to establish additional funding for the
 
11 needs of the college."
 
12      SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed.
 
13 New statutory material is underscored.
 
14      SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.