STAND. COM. REP. NO. 236

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 591

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 591 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the amount of damages allowed for public school restitution agreements from $3,500 to $10,000.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education and O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i.

Your Committee finds that vandalism at public schools occurs at the expense of students and the general public. When school facilities and equipment are damaged or destroyed, there is a negative impact on the quality of education that affects teachers, students, and parents. Raising the amount for restitution agreements will act as a strong deterrent against vandalism and increase the financial responsibility on a student's family who chooses to vandalize school property and facilities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 591 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

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

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair