STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2858

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2138

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 S.B. No. 2138 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified enlisted personnel in the Hawaii National Guard.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the State of Hawaii Department of Defense, Hawaii National Guard, Hawaii Army National Guard, University of Hawaii, Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that under current law, the Adjutant General's authority to award tuition assistance funds is limited to undergraduate degrees. Your Committee believes that expanding the state tuition assistance program will enable Hawaii's servicemembers to pursue graduate degrees, thereby further professionalizing the National Guard force. Accordingly, your Committee finds that this measure will expand the program to include graduate degrees, ensuring the Hawaii National Guard may recruit and retain the most qualified and talented staff.

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 S.B. No. 2138 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair