STAND. COM. REP. NO. 928

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 961

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 961, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Appropriate funds for the Preschool Open Doors Program and Executive Office on Early Learning to expand access to preschool and implement program changes required by previous acts;

(2) Expand the types of entities from which a Preschool Open Doors service provider may obtain accreditation;

(3) Expand the Preschool Open Doors Program application process to eligible three-year-old children; and

(4) Authorize the Preschool Open Doors Special Fund to accept federal funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Executive Office on Early Learning, Early Learning Board, Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawai‘i, Hui for Excellence in Education, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Hawaii Council of Private Schools, Kamehameha Schools, Commit to Keiki, and Early Childhood Action Strategy. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Budget and Finance, University of Hawai‘i System, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, and one individual.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 961, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair