STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3867

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 166

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 166, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO WORK WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO DEVELOP AND ADOPT ADMINISTRATIVE RULES, INCLUDING RULES GOVERNING THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the State Public Charter School Commission to work with stakeholders to develop and adopt administrative rules, including rules governing the negotiation process between the Commission and public charter schools.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network, Kanu O Ka ʻAina New Century Public Charter School Governing Board, Kualapuu Public Charter School, and two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the State Public Charter School Commission.

Your Committee finds that Act 62, Session Laws of Hawaii 1999, was intended to provide greater flexibility and autonomy to charter schools at the institutional level, authorizing existing public schools and new schools to be designated as new century charter schools. Existing law authorizes the State Public Charter School Commission to adopt administrative rules to administer and implement state laws regarding public charter schools, including negotiations to execute sound charter contracts. While existing law provides the Board of Education with the power to decide appeals of decisions by the State Public Charter School Commission regarding a charter contract, there is no appeals process for a complaint. Therefore, this measure urges prompt action by the State Public Charter School Commission to ensure compliance and effective operations.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 166, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair