STAND. COM. REP. NO. 445

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 688

S.D. 1

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. 688 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION FUNDING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Committee on Weights to submit a report to the Legislature detailing any changes to the funding formula within thirty days of the change.

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

Your Committee finds that the Committee on Weights is responsible for, among other things, reviewing the issue and revising the formula to provide for the equitable distribution of funds to all of Hawaii public schools. Although there is major concern for insufficient funding for public schools, various Committees on Weights have recommended, and the Board of Education has approved changes, in the formula factor that has increased the weighted student formula base funding at schools. Because these changes affect the well-being of schools and students from all areas, it is important that the Legislature be made aware of such changes.

Your Committee has amended this measure by specifying that the Committee on Weights shall submit a report to the Legislature on any recommendations made by the Committee on Weights to the Board of Education that involves the weighted student formula.

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. 688, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 688, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair