STAND. COM. REP. NO. 952

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 155

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 155 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to augment the services and educational experiences provided by the University of Hawaii.

Specifically, the measure:

(1) Establishes and appropriates moneys for a network improvement community task force to develop a kindergarten through grade twelve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teacher education degree at the University of Hawaii; and

(2) Appropriates moneys to the University of Hawaii Maui College for study abroad programs.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii and two individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that facilitating the development of a dedicated degree program for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers will help address the State's critical need for teachers in these fields. Your Committee also finds that funding study abroad programs will help enhance students' learning.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2) 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. 155, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 155, S.D. 1.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair