STAND. COM. REP. NO. 961

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     S.B. No. 457

        S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 457 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PUNA DISTANCE LEARNING CENTER,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide increased access to post-secondary education to the residents of the Puna district.

 

More specifically, this measure:

 

(1)  Appropriates moneys to the University of Hawaii for staff positions, a feasibility study, and the operating expenses of the Hawaii Community College's distance learning center in the Puna district; and

 

(2)  Requires the University of Hawaii to submit a report to the Legislature.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii, Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, and Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that due to the Puna district's remote location, its residents and economy would benefit from greater access to post-secondary education through a distance learning center.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

(1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

 

(2)  Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     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. 457, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 457, S.D. 1.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair