Bill would pay tuition for state workers

A bill before lawmakers would provide free tuition in exchange for a commitment to remaining a state government employee.

House Bill 2113 would provide free tuition for state workers to attend college within the University of Hawaii system, with the cost picked up by the state Department of Human Resources Development. Recipients of free tuition would commit to 10 years of public service with the state if they use the program to obtain a bachelor’s, graduate or professional degree.

A five year commitment of public service would be required for an associate’s degree.

The bill now heads to a full House vote after passing the House Committees on Labor and Public Employment, Higher Education, and Finance.

Students who accept the tuition grants but fail to obtain the degrees they were seeking would be required to repay a prorated share of the grants to the state, according to the bill. Refunds would also be required for people who don’t fulfill their commitments to work for the state, except for people who receive an involuntary layoff.

The lead sponsor of the measure is Rep. Chris Lee, who said it will allow the state to identify areas of state government that are in need of qualified personnel, and will encourage existing employees to gain the appropriate education or professional training.

“If we want efficient and effective government, we need to attract and retain well-trained and educated public employees,” Lee said in an interview.

Lee (D, Kailua-Lanikai-­Waimanalo) said many private-sector salaries and benefits outpace what the public sector has to offer, making it difficult to “attract and retain good public employees to serve the people of the Hawaii.”

Grant recipients would need to be enrolled in a University of Hawaii undergraduate program or community college, and physically present in the state.

Supporters of the bill included the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the Hawaii Government Employees Association, two of the largest public worker unions.

Ryker Wada, interim director of the human resources department, in written testimony to the Finance Committee, raised concerns that the bill does not provide additional money or staff to administer the program or enforce the collection of payments from individuals who do not complete their degree. He also noted that there is no limit in the bill on the amount of grants that could be given out.

The current language of the measure says the department would “continuously develop and update” a list of approved state positions that would be eligible for the grant and that the funds would be provided for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.