STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2766

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2602

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2602, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE GENERAL FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require that excess moneys in the University of Hawaii tuition and fees special fund lapse to the credit of the general fund at the end of each fiscal year.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the University of Hawaii and University of Hawaii Professional Assembly.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that this measure will allow the State to use certain moneys not immediately needed by the University of Hawaii to fund critical programs that were previously funded by federal moneys that are no longer available due to shifting federal priorities.

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. 2602, S.D. 1, 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