STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1350

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     H.B. No. 1277

        H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1277, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROMISE PROGRAM,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Provide scholarships under the Hawaii promise program for the unmet direct cost needs of qualified students at any four-year University of Hawaii campus who meet certain eligibility criteria; and

 

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the establishment and implementation of the Hawaii promise program.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, Department of Education, Kamehameha Schools, Engineering Alumni Association of the University of Hawaii, University of Hawai‘i Alumni Association, and three individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii promise program provides financial assistance to students with financial need, as determined by the student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid, to meet the cost of tuition, fees, books, and transportation.  However, the Hawaii promise program is only available to students at the University of Hawaii community colleges.  This measure expands the Hawaii promise program to qualified students at four-year institutions, which will significantly enhance the number of economically disadvantaged students who can attend and graduate from the University of Hawaii.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1277, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

 

 

 

________________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair