STAND. COM. REP. NO. 711

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 156

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 Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 156, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Board of Education to hold not less than six community forums annually, with at least one community forum in each county;

(2) Require the Board to include an open forum for public comments on non-agenda items; and

(3) Require a report to the Legislature on implementing open forums.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Information Practices and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Education.

Your Committee finds that the Board of Education's mission is to "promote excellence and equity in Hawai‘i's public schools and enable all students to meet their own unique and varied potentials". Your Committee also finds that the Board strives to achieve its mission through the enactment of public policy. However, the ability to craft effective policy requires a full and robust understanding of the needs and concerns of parents, students, and families. This, in turn, requires ample opportunities for public input and participation. However, your Committee finds that under the existing law, the Board is required to hold just one community meeting annually in each county. Therefore, this measure will increase the opportunities for public participation by requiring the Board to hold at least six community forums annually.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 156, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair