Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1303 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to statutorily establish the Department of Education (DOE) as a political subdivision of the State under Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statute. Under the provisions of this new system, DOE would be removed from its current position within the executive branch. In addition, the bill eliminates the requirement that the Department of Taxation deposit a portion of the general excise tax revenues into the state education facilities improvement special fund. The bill would also establish a committee to facilitate the transition of DOE to its new status as a separate branch of government.

The Board of Education supported this bill. The Department of Taxation commented on this bill.

Your Committee finds that this bill presents a bold, new approach to governing and funding education in Hawaii. It is very difficult to establish a clear line of accountability in DOE under the current scheme. This bill implements statutory provisions that would provide DOE the autonomy to administer to the educational needs of Hawaii without being constrained by the fiscal requirements of the State.

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 H.B. No. 1303 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.