STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1013

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1151

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1151, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase accessibility to higher education at the State's community colleges.

Specifically, this measure exempts University of Hawaii community college students enrolled in certificate programs from the requirement to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year to be eligible for the Hawaii Community College Promise Program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability and Communication Access Board, and University of Hawaii Professional Assembly.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that requiring students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid in order to be eligible for the Hawaii Community College Promise Program may act as a barrier for students pursuing post-graduate certificates, including students with developmental disabilities. Your Committee further finds that the exemption provided under this measure will help to increase access to higher education.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Declaring that access to the Hawaii Community College Promise Program is a matter of statewide concern;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1151, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1151, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair