HB 773 Summary

• Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop annual regional economic plans by January 31 each year identifying regional economic priorities, industry clusters, and priority jobs for each county.

• Mandates the Workforce Development Council to develop K-16 pathways and programs in every public school and public charter school based on regional economic plans, focusing on high-growth industries including health care, technical roles, business and finance, information technology, and management.

• Provides schools up to $1,000 per student bonus incentive for fiscal year 2019-2020 and thereafter for students who complete qualified internship programs or earn industry certifications.

• Exempts qualified internship program placements from Hawaii's public procurement code (Chapter 103D) if programs meet five criteria including post-secondary alignment, minimum wage valuation of student work, adequate case managers, pre-internship training, and safety safeguards.

• Appropriates $500,000 annually for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, divided between $300,000 for administrative costs and $200,000 for school incentive bonuses; requires the Department of Education to report annually to the legislature on credentials earned, participating schools, student demographics, and completion rates.