STAND. COM. REP. NO. 787-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2683

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2683, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ACCESS TO LEARNING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make permanent the exemption of laboratory school programs of the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Hawaiian Language from state English-medium standards, assessments, performance ratings, staff qualifications, and staff training requirements.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Executive Office on Early Learning; Early Learning Board; Kūpuna for the Moʻopuna; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; ʻAha Pūnana Leo; Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu Iki; and numerous individuals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2683, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair