STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1032-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2297

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. 2297, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

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 did not receive any written testimony on this measure.

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. 2297, 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