Ka Leo O Hawaii

Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy of capitol.hawaii.gov The Hawai‘i state legislature is currently taking center stage in the state capitol, which is also the office of the governor and lieutenant governor of Hawai‘i.

University of Hawai‘i students may be able to apply for a registered nurse license even if they don't have a bachelor's degree in nursing. The proposal is one of five new legislative bills being reviewed this session.

The bills, which were companion measures introduced simultaneously on Jan. 22 by state House Speaker Calvin Say and state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, all passed initial readings and are currently being reviewed by different committees.

According to Stephanie Kim, director of government relations at UH, the bills being reviewed are considered "housekeeping bills," previous bills that are slightly changed to improve the day-to-day work of the people. All were approved by the UH Board of Regents last September.

Kim said the university partnered with the governor, the Attorney General's office and the state Department of Budget and Finance from September to December.

The bills in UH's 2008 legislative package are:

Nursing Program (HB 3208/SB 3130)
In regards to the nursing shortage in Hawai‘i, this bill allows for more timely entrance into the workforce by allowing students into the master's in nursing program without having a bachelor's degree in nursing. To be eligibile for licensure as a registered nurse students must pass an examination and complete the pre-licensure program.

Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i (HB 3205/SB 3127)
Allows the Cancer Research Center to retain funds acquired through other resources and to benefit from a special fund created from the cigarette tax increase last year.

Commercial Enterprise (HB 3206/SB 3128)
Reinstates language that was repealed in 2004 to allow university funds, except general funds, to go into the University of Hawai‘i Commercial Enterprise Revolving Fund, which established the Rainbowtique. The bill will allow UH to start new commercial activities and the revenue will be used for the general benefit of the university.

Procurement (HB 3204/SB 3126)
Exempts the university from the procurement process and allows the UH Board of Regents to create internal policies and procedures for the acquisition of goods, services and construction.

Payment Pre-audit (HB 3207/SB 3129)
Allows UH to pre-audit proposed payments of $10,000 or more, instead of all proposed payments, which requires additional staffing.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools