Report Title:

Hawaii State University; Legislative Reference Bureau

Description:

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to prepare legislation that establishes the Hawaii State University; appropriates funds.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1591

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the hawaii state university.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a large segment of the county of Hawaii's residents, organizations, and individuals affiliated with the University of Hawaii-Hilo (UH-Hilo), are frustrated with the current condition, status, and overall quality of education at the UH-Hilo campus. One proposal to address this issue involves the establishment of a new institution of higher education to be called the "Hawaii State University" that incorporates UH-Hilo and is separate and distinct from the University of Hawaii. The Hawaii State University would be governed by its own board of regents, and run by its own president.

The proponents for this proposal include a considerable portion of the county of Hawaii's residents and organizations. The legislature recognizes the importance of weighing the merits of this proposal, which is important in determining the future of the UH-Hilo campus and the future of higher education in general for the state. The legislature further finds that the legislative reference bureau performed a study on the establishment of an independent UH-Hilo in 1986. The study found that it was constitutionally allowable to establish an independent university.

The purpose of this Act is to provide the legislature with more information regarding a proposed Hawaii State University by requiring the legislative reference bureau to prepare and submit a bill to the legislature that establishes the Hawaii State University, distinct from the University of Hawaii.

SECTION 2. The legislative reference bureau shall prepare for submittal to the legislature, prior to the convening of the regular session of 2007 and using H.B. No. 1715, regular session of 1991, as its base, a bill that establishes the Hawaii state university, which shall be distinct from the current University of Hawaii system.

In drafting the bill, the legislative reference bureau shall assume that the legislature has made a policy decision to create such a university to be fully operational by July 1, 2008. The bill shall include an effective date of July 1, 2007, with the period between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, to be one of transition. The bill to be drafted by the legislative reference bureau shall be annotated with narrative descriptions of changes in organization, cost estimates of reorganization, and other pertinent matters so that legislators have as much information as is reasonably attainable to make an informed decision. The administrations of the University of Hawaii system and the University of Hawaii at Hilo shall cooperate with the legislative reference bureau by:

(1) Furnishing all data and information requested by the legislative reference bureau;

(2) Submitting recommendations and opinions with respect to issues that may arise; and

(3) Working with the legislative reference bureau to facilitate the drafting of a bill that is feasible.

In the event of a disagreement between the organizations

involved, the legislative reference bureau shall report the

differences of opinion to the legislature at the same time the bill is submitted to the legislature.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $5,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006 for costs incurred in drafting the bill.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the legislative reference bureau for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________