STAND. COM. REP. NO. 299-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2158

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 Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2158 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the University of Hawaii to make program-level data for each academic program offered across all campuses to be readily accessible by the public.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that the University of Hawaii System is experiencing sustained enrollment declines, shifts in demographics, workforce shortages, and increasing fiscal pressures. This measure will improve transparency and provide critical data to support evidence-based planning, program review, and right-sizing of the University.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2158, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2158, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair