STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2581

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3116

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 Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 3116 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to update the State's statutory framework for adult and community education programs to ensure alignment with federal funding requirements and current best practices in those programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, University of Hawaiʻi System, McKinley Community School for Adults, and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that changes to the federal Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, authorized as title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, necessitate corresponding amendments to the scope of the Department of Education's adult education programs to maintain alignment with federal grant requirements and current best practices. Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 is a critical component of the State's adult education system, integrating adult education with broader workforce development initiatives. The program updates also provide for family and community literacy that includes financial literacy and health and wellness instruction, expanding adult education in the foundational skills necessary for a productive home and work life. This measure supports a sustainable, robust adult education framework in the State that is continuously eligible for federal funding.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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 S.B. No. 3116, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3116, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair