STAND. COM. REP. NO. 318-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2301

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 Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2301 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL LICENSURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to transfer the licensing authority of private trade, vocational, and technical schools from the Department of Education to the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Department of Education. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that, although the Department of Education is responsible for the licensing of private trade, vocational, and technical schools, audits and legislative assessments have consistently shown the Department's lack of expertise and capacity to effectively oversee private trade, vocational, and technical schools. Your Committee further finds that the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, rather than the University of Hawaii, is better equipped to handle the responsibilities of licensing private trade, vocational, and technical schools, particularly at the community colleges.

Your Committee has accordingly amended this measure by:

(1) Transferring the licensing authority of private trade, vocational, and technical schools from the Department of Education to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, rather than the University of Hawaii;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

(3) 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 Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2301, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2301, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair