STAND. COM. REP. NO. 405-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2383

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 Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2383, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE WORKFORCE PELL GRANT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish:

(1) A statewide framework for the implementation of the federal Workforce Pell Grant Program to provide financial aid for certain short-term workforce education and training programs; and

(2) A Workforce Pell Grant Program Approval Committee within the Workforce Development Council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System and Maui Chamber of Commerce. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Office of Information Practices; and Workforce Development Council.

Your Committee finds that the United States Congress has authorized a federal Workforce Pell Grant Program to expand access to short-term workforce education and training; however federal guidance and final program parameters are still emerging. This measure allows the State to have a statutory framework in place once federal rules are finalized.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2383, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair