STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3225

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2000

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2000, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the School Facilities Authority for the construction of preschool facilities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the School Facilities Authority, Executive Office on Early Learning, State Public Charter School Commission, Early Learning Board, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and Kamehameha Schools.

Your Committee finds that high quality early education improves future outcomes for Hawaii's young children in education and beyond.  Your Committee further finds, however, that there is presently a critical shortage of preschool and related early education facilities throughout the State.  Accordingly, this measure will increase access to high quality early education in the State by appropriating funds for the construction of preschool facilities, and is intended to include Department of Education schools and state public charter schools.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2051.

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 H.B. No. 2000, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2000, H.D. 1, 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