STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1606

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1291

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1291, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOLARSHIPS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to empower students with disabilities to continue their education beyond high school.

Specifically, this measure authorizes the award of scholarships under the Hawaii State Scholars Program to applicants who:

(1) Graduated from a public high school in the State with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0; and

(2) Qualified for and received special education services for three or more years during enrollment in grades seven through twelve.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii, Special Education Advisory Council, Speducator Project, and twelve individuals.

Your Committee finds that students with disabilities constitute approximately ten percent of the public school population. Your Committee further finds that offering opportunities to these students to secure scholarships under the Hawaii State Scholars Program will provide both an incentive and a lifeline for students in financial need.

Your Committee has amended this measure by amending the eligibility requirements to include applicants who:

(1) Have received a diploma from a public high school in the State with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0; and

(2) Provide evidence that the student qualified for and received special education services for two or more years during enrollment in grades nine through twelve.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1291, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1291, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair