HCR84 HD1 HSCR1150

STAND. COM. REP. NO.1150

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: H.C.R. No. 84

H.D. 1

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.C.R. No. 84 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING PRESIDENT BUSH AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION TO MEET THE FEDERAL COMMITMENT UNDER THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure, as referred to committee, is to urge President Bush and the United States to increase funding for special education to meet the federal commitment under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The State of Hawaii Attorney General, Department of Education, and one individual supported this measure.

Your Committee finds that the Felix Consent Decree remains one of the state's biggest concerns. Further, the lack of funding from the federal government has put the state in a difficult financial situation.

Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by deleting the contents and replacing it with language similar to Senate Resolution 90. This measure establishes a joint Senate and House Committee to investigate the state's efforts to comply with the Felix Consent Decree. This Committee shall:

(1) Gather information;

(2) Make recommendations to the Senate and House;

(3) Have every power and function allowed to an investigating Committee by law;

(4) Be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House;

(5) Be composed of both majority and minority members; and

(6) Submit written findings and recommendations to the Senate and House twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2002.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 84, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance, in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 84, H.D. 1.

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

		____________________________ KEN ITO, Chair