STAND. COM. REP. NO. 241

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 875

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor & Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 875 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a teacher apprenticeship program to support, recruit, develop, and retain teachers for Hawaii's public schools.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, College of Education at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's public schools have been facing a severe teacher shortage for years. Your Committee further finds that the lack of apprenticeship programs and other services that assist teachers in obtaining the necessary licenses and gaining workforce experience contribute to poor teacher retention, diversity, and recruitment. Your Committee also finds that a structured teacher apprenticeship program that provides more supportive mentoring and financial support during workforce training would help to develop teachers who are already in the community by providing them with the resources to succeed.

In addition, your Committee notes that there may be federal funding available to financially support the teacher apprenticeship program proposed in this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 875, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 875, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education & Technology.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Government Operations,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair