STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1881

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 69

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 69, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide financial support for after-school enrichment activities.

More specifically, the measure appropriates funds to the Department of Education for the Department's Resources for Enrichment, Athletics/Academics, Culture, and Health, or REACH, program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Early Childhood Action Strategy, Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii, HE`E Coalition, Connections Public Charter School, HawaiiKidsCAN, After-School All-Stars Hawaii, RAI Hawaii LLC, Hawaii Afterschool Alliance, YMCA of Honolulu, Island of Hawaii YMCA, Parents and Children Together, and six individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks! and one individual.

Your Committee finds that this measure's provision of funding for the REACH program, which provides critical, developmentally‑aligned educational opportunities to public and charter school middle school and intermediate school students at no cost to their families, is an investment that represents the State's commitment to the well-being of its students, families, and communities.

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. 69, H.D. 1, 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