STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3266

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     H.B. No. 2297

        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. 2297, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to update the State's statutory framework for adult and community education programs to ensure alignment with federal funding requirements and current best practices in those programs.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, University of Hawaiʻi System, and McKinley Community School for Adults.

 

     Your Committee finds that existing laws governing the State's adult and community education programs require updates to maintain eligibility for federal grant funding and to better support adult learners to gain the skills necessary for a productive home and work life.  Modernizing the programs to emphasize workforce readiness and workforce development aligns with the Department of Education's priority to prepare students for the workforce and will provide under-skilled individuals with educational opportunities to develop the competencies necessary for gainful employment.  This measure aligns the scope of adult and community education programs with federal requirements and national best practices, thereby improving the programs' educational outcomes and long-term viability.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

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

 

     (2)  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. 2297, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2297, 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,

 

 

 

________________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair