STAND. COM. REP. NO. 812-26

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 Finance, 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 and appropriate funds for 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; Executive Office on Early Learning; Board of Education; Early Learning Board; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; State Public Charter School Commission; Office of the Mayor of the County of Kauai; Department of Community Services of the City and County of Honolulu; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools; Association for Infant Mental Health Hawaiʻi; Kapolei Chamber of Commerce; Early Childhood Action Strategy; Commit to Keiki; Aloha United Way; AAUW of Hawaii; Keiki O Ka ʻĀina Family Learning Centers; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Parents and Children Together; The Happy Bento; Holomua Collaborative; Family Promise of Hawaiʻi; Family Programs Hawaii; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

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. 1872, 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