STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1546

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 525

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

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. 525, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TEACHER HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the construction of teacher housing on any public school campus.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Requires the Department of Education to partner with the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, and School Facilities Agency for any teacher housing facility that the Department of Education may construct on a public school campus; and

(2) Sets out eligibility requirements for the rental of on‑campus teacher housing units to public school teachers.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and two individuals.

The Hawaii Government Employees Association submitted written comments on the measure.

Your Committee finds that the construction of on-campus housing facilities authorized by this measure will help the State to recruit and retain more public school teachers by significantly reducing their housing costs, especially in geographically isolated and high-priced residential rental locations.

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. 525, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair