THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2928
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		S.D. 3
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

 

 

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

 

     Section 1.  The legislature finds that the State's future security, economic development, and sustainability depend on further development of the agricultural sector.  In the most recent Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy plans, the State and all four counties identified agriculture as a targeted industry for regional economic development.  Further, a qualified workforce that is employed in and supports agriculture, food innovation, and natural resources is necessary to advance the State's goals.

     The legislature further finds that career pathways show the education, training, and experiences necessary to prepare young people for employment and career success.  When career pathways are well-executed, young people are prepared to join the State's high-skill, high-wage, in-demand, and future-focused workforce.

     The legislature additionally finds that there is a critical need for a career pathways implementation plan for the agricultural sector that prepares the State's young people to join Hawaii's future agricultural workforce, which will include scientists, inspectors, food producers, field technicians, natural resource managers, entrepreneurs, and farmers.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish an agricultural careers working group to study and develop an implementation plan for career pathways in the agricultural sector.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established an agricultural careers working group to study and prepare an agricultural career pathways implementation plan.  The working group shall be attached to the department of education for administrative and fiscal purposes.  The working group shall be composed of members selected by the department of education, in consultation with the University of Hawaii.

     (b)  The working group shall study and prepare an implementation plan to meet present and future agricultural workforce needs.  The plan shall include career pathways from high school to postsecondary education and training that prepares young people for employment in the agricultural sector.  In preparing the implementation plan, the working group shall consider:

     (1)  Current and projected workforce needs, as identified in labor market data by employers and in economic development plans;

     (2)  The role of high school career academies and industry-valued certificates, including those identified in the Promising Credentials in Hawaii report issued by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Kamehameha Schools, and Hawaii P-20 partnerships for education;

     (3)  The Coordinated Framework of Support for Preschool Through Post-Secondary Agriculture Education in Hawaii report prepared in response to the Senate Resolution No. 80 (2015) and the Hawaii agriculture workforce advisory board established under section 371-19, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     (4)  The inclusion of specific models for secondary and postsecondary education and training that identify the relationship between education, training, and employment opportunities; provided that where entry-level employment opportunities do not compensate employees at a living wage, the corresponding model should indicate the opportunities to advance in the career pathway toward a living wage.

     (c)  The working group shall submit to the legislature an analysis of agricultural workforce needs no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023.

     (d)  The working group shall submit its agricultural career pathways implementation plan, including recommendations and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024.

     (e)  The working group shall dissolve on June 1, 2024.

     SECTION 3.  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 2022-2023 for the establishment and operation of the agricultural careers working group established under section 2 of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2051; provided that section 3 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2051.

 

Report Title:

Education; Working Group; Agriculture; Career Pathways; Report; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes an agricultural careers working group to study and prepare an implementation plan for agricultural career pathways.  Requires reports to the legislature.  Makes an appropriation.  Effective 7/1/2051.  (HD1)

 

 

 

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