STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3678

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2297

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2297, H.D. 1, S.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 align the State's laws relating to the scope of adult and community programs with federal funding requirements and current best practices.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education and McKinley Community School for Adults.

Your Committee finds that applicable state law on adult and community programs lists program areas that no longer align with current federal requirements. Accordingly, your Committee finds that statutory amendments are necessary to ensure continued federal funding for these important sources of learning.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting the term "basic skills deficient" and its definition; and

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

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

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair