Bill Text: HI SB1503 | 2025 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Relating To Workforce Development.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-10 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [SB1503 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2025-SB1503-Amended.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1503
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State offers a unique opportunity for job growth and economic development through its important geographic location.  In fiscal year 2022, Hawaii received almost $9 million in federal defense spending.  Furthermore, the number of defense-related jobs increased by approximately ten thousand jobs from fiscal year 2018 to fiscal year 2022.  Many of these jobs are in the areas of information technology, cybersecurity, intelligence, data science, and advanced manufacturing fields.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to develop a local workforce to meet this growing demand in defense-related personnel and promote economic diversification by requiring the department of labor and industrial relations to develop and implement training programs, public-private partnerships, funding opportunities, and recruitment strategies.

     SECTION 2.  The department of labor and industrial relations shall develop and implement:

     (1)  Training programs that include:

          (A)  Specialized programs in collaboration with local educational institutions and industry partners, focusing on areas of high demand such as information technology, cybersecurity, intelligence, data science, and advanced manufacturing; and

          (B)  Upskilling opportunities for existing workforce members to transition into defense-related roles;

     (2)  Public-private partnerships with private sector entities and defense contractors to:

          (A)  Create internship and apprenticeship programs, offering hands-on experience and career pathways in defense-related industries; and

          (B)  Facilitate employer-driven training initiatives to ensure alignment with industry needs and standards;

     (3)  Funding opportunities including:

          (A)  Grants to community colleges, universities, and training centers for developing or enhancing curriculums aligned with defense-related workforce requirements; and

          (B)  Scholarships or tuition assistance for students pursuing degrees or certifications in targeted fields;

     (4)  Recruitment strategies that include:

          (A)  Conducting outreach campaigns to raise awareness about opportunities in defense-related fields, with a focus on engaging underrepresented populations, including Native Hawaiians, women, and rural communities; and

          (B)  Hosting job fairs, workshops, and informational sessions to connect job seekers with training and employment opportunities; and

     (5)  Program evaluation and monitoring by:

          (A)  Allocating resources for tracking and evaluating the effectiveness of funded initiatives, including metrics such as job placements, participant satisfaction, and employer feedback; and

          (B)  Using evaluation data to continuously improve program offerings and ensure alignment with workforce demands.

     SECTION 3.  The department of labor and industrial relations shall submit a report of its progress, findings, and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027, and every other year thereafter.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to develop and increase the defense-related workforce in the State and promote economic diversification.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of labor and industrial relations for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

 

 

Report Title:

DLIR; Workforce Development; Economic Diversification; Defense-Related Personnel; Reports; Appropriations

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to develop and implement training programs, public-private partnerships, funding opportunities, and recruitment strategies to develop a local workforce to meet the growing demand in defense-related personnel and promote economic diversification.  Requires reports to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.