STAND. COM. REP. NO. 276

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 110

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 110 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to provide University of Hawaii tuition refunds to:

(1) Children of certain law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, water safety officers, and air ambulance pilots and technicians killed in the line of duty;

(2) Children of Hawaii veterans who were killed in action, sustained a service-connected disability or wounds, or were declared prisoners of war or missing in action;

(3) Members of the Hawaii National Guard or United States military reserves who are ordered to active duty and cannot attend school for more than 60 days during the semester due to requirements of the member's military service; and

(4) Full-time members of the United States military on active duty who cannot attend school for more than 60 days during the semester due to requirements of the member's military service.

The Honolulu Police Department, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Hawaii National Guard Enlisted Association, and several concerned individuals testified in support of the bill. The University of Hawaii testified in support of the bill's intent.

Your Committee finds that public safety employees and military personnel help protect and depend the freedom of the citizens of Hawaii, even at the cost of their own life. In honor of those who sacrifice their lives for the benefit of others, your Committee believes that the State has a duty to in turn, help provide for the children of our fallen heroes by providing an opportunity to receive a higher education, regardless of their ability to pay, through tuition refunds.

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. 110 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

 

____________________________

TOMMY WATERS, Chair