STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3263

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1872

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, 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 and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to be administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial support for early learning program service providers in the State to participate in state- or federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs;

(2) Require an annual report to the Legislature; and

(3) Appropriate funds.

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

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the College of Education of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Your Committee finds that there is a shortage of affordable high-quality child care options in the State, primarily driven by the critical shortage of qualified early learning professionals. Your Committee further finds that access to reliable child care is essential for families and benefits the broader economy by enabling parents to more fully participate in the labor force and improving labor stability for employers. This measure seeks to support growth of the early educator workforce to expand access to child care and early learning opportunities, thereby promoting a more resilient and productive economy and overall quality of life improvement.

Your Committee acknowledges the concerns raised during the hearing on this measure that the established Grant Program would represent a significant annual commitment of public funds during a period of economic austerity that necessitates increased scrutiny of expenditures and fiscal responsibility. Your Committee notes that, while the general funds of the State must address a broad range of funding needs, the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund was established to maintain or improve the University's programs and operations and currently has a considerable surplus of funds. Therefore, amendments to this measure are necessary to address this matter.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that the funds shall be appropriated out of the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund;

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 31, 2055, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1872, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1872, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair