STAND. COM. REP. NO. 949-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1785

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1785, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the Department of Education, subject to approval by the Governor, to remove or suspend portions of a student transportation contract and enter into an interim agreement with another qualified carrier, if the contractor fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days; and

(2) Authorize the use of the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and State Procurement Office.

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. 1785, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair