CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 24-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2297

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madam and Sir:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the House of Representatives to the amendments proposed by the Senate in H.B. No. 2297, H.D. 1, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to align the statutory framework for adult and community education programs with federal funding requirements and current best practices in those programs by:

(1) Modernizing terminology;

(2) Including English language acquisition and integrated English literacy and civics education;

(3) Establishing workplace literacy and workforce preparation programs as core components; and

(4) Clarifying which individuals are eligible for programs that receive federal funding under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by changing the effective date to upon approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2297, H.D. 1, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2297, H.D. 1, S.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

____________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM Chair	____________________________ TRISH LA CHICA Co-Chair
____________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI Co-Chair	____________________________ MIKE LEE Co-Chair