STAND. COM. REP. NO. 479

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 968

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 Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 968, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii Pamantasan Council for three full-time equivalent academic and support services specialist positions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i Pamantasan Executive Committee, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that a recent report by the University of Hawaii highlights issues of Filipino representation in the areas of student enrollment, transfer, degree completion, faculty and administrative leadership, and curriculum representation. This measure will ensure that the University of Hawaii Pamantasan Council has the support needed to address these issues of access, equity, and inclusiveness for Filipino Americans at the university.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 968, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair