CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 150

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 1022

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1022, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Amend the composition and qualifications of the Early Learning Board;

(2) Establish general qualifications for the members of the Early Learning Board appointed by the Governor; and

(3) Require the Early Learning Board to establish an Early Learning Stakeholder Advisory Council.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the Early Learning Board is comprised of industry experts and professionals that advise the State on early childhood education matters, including programs, inter-agency collaboration, and direction of policy. Representatives of the Early Learning Board reflect a diversity of professions, experiences, and leadership skills from across the education, human services, and early childhood care sectors. This measure continues to address the dire need for early childhood education while also ensuring effective leadership on education policy.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying the minimum and ideal qualifications of nominees for the Early Learning Board;

(2) Deleting language that would have added a member who is a representative of Hawaiian medium early learning providers and a member who is a pediatrician with a child development focus;

(3) Adding three members from the City and County of Honolulu, rather than one member;

(4) Deleting language that would have created an Early Learning Stakeholder Advisory Council;

(5) Making it effective upon its approval; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1022, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1022, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON Co-Chair	____________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI Chair
____________________________ LISA KITAGAWA Co-Chair	____________________________ DRU KANUHA Co-Chair