STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1579

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1594

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1594, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROMISE PROGRAM,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide financial aid to University of Hawaii students who meet certain qualifications.

 

     More specifically, the measure:

 

     (1)  Establishes the Hawaii Promise Program to provide scholarships for the unmet direct cost needs of qualified students enrolled at any University of Hawaii campus, including any community college campus;

 

     (2)  Establishes the Hawaii Promise Program Special Fund, to be administered by the University of Hawaii, to provide financial assistance to qualified students through the Hawaii Promise Program; and

 

     (3)  Makes an unspecified appropriation to establish and implement the Hawaii Promise Program.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii, Kamehameha Schools, and three individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that an educated labor force and engaged citizenry are essential in today's global, knowledge-based economy.  The University of Hawaii graduation initiative has a goal of increasing the educational capital of the State by increasing the enrollment and graduation rates of students who are Native Hawaiians, have low incomes, or represent other underserved regions or populations.  Further, Hawaii's "55 by '25" goal aspires to increase the percentage of working-age adults with two- or four-year degrees to fifty-five percent by 2025.  Your Committee believes that this measure will enable more students to attend a University of Hawaii campus, thus helping the State to meet its 55 by '25 goal.

 

     Your Committee has included in the Senate draft of the executive budget (H.B. No. 100, H.D. 1, S.D. 1) an appropriation of $1,800,000 for the Hawaii Promise Program.

 

     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 H.B. No. 1594, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair