STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1751

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred H.B. No. 1751 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard tuition assistance program at the University of Hawaii to include graduate degrees for qualified enlisted persons, warrant officers, and company grade officers in the Hawaii National Guard.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the state Department of Defense, Hawaii National Guard, Hawaii Army National Guard, University of Hawaiʻi System, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that this measure supports workforce retention within Hawaii. Providing qualified Hawaii National Guard members with access to affordable graduate education at the University of Hawaii encourages them to remain in the State, apply their advanced skills locally, and continue serving Hawaii's people in military and civilian capacities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to January 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1751, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1751, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair