STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3421

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2331

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2331 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AN INACTIVE STATUS FOR PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL LICENSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize licensing authorities to allow licensees to assume inactive status when these licensees are currently not engaged in the practice of their profession or vocation.

This measure also allows licensees to reactivate their licenses at any time during the licensure period or at renewal. This reactivation is subject to an application by the licensee and denial of the application by the licensing authority.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the National Association of Social Workers. No testimony in opposition was received by your Committee.

Currently, only eleven of the forty-five licensing boards and programs statutorily provide the option for licensees to assume an inactive status. Your Committee finds that this measure would apply to all forty-five licensing boards and programs and will ensure regulatory uniformity and consistency.

Your Committee further finds that, under this measure, licensing authorities may enact pricing schemes and fees for the inactivation and reactivation of licenses that pass on lesser costs to those who choose to become inactive and later reactivate their licenses.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2331, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing,

____________________________

RON MENOR, Chair