STAND. COM. REP. NO. 623-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1872

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 Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 1872, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to provide financial support for early learning program service providers to participate in federally- or state-approved early learning apprenticeship programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services; Board of Education; Early Learning Board; Executive Office on Early Learning; Hawaiʻi Early Childhood Educator Excellence and Equity Project at the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa College of Education; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; State Public Charter School Commission; Department of Community Services of the City and County of Honolulu; Commit to Keiki; Early Childhood Action Strategy; Holomua Collaborative; Parents and Children Together; AAUW of Hawaii; Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools; YMCA of Honolulu; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Kapolei Chamber of Commerce; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that high-quality early learning programs are critical to child development and the economic stability of working families, yet the State is experiencing a shortage of well-trained and adequately compensated early learning professionals. Your Committee further finds that although registered apprenticeship programs offer an effective pathway for training and retaining early learning workers, many providers are unable to participate due to the higher wage requirements and associated costs of apprenticeship programs. Your Committee believes that establishing a grant program to offset these costs will help expand the early learning workforce by supporting providers in adopting apprenticeship models that strengthen recruitment, retention, and long-term professional development.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1872, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JACKSON D. SAYAMA, Chair