Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 670, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to statutorily establish the Hawaii State Student Council and clarify its responsibilities.

Specifically, this bill:

The Hawaii State Student Council was originally established in 1972 by the Board of Education's Student Representation Guidelines, and is recognized in article X, section 2 of the Hawaii Constitution. Similarly, an annual conference of secondary school students and student conference committee directed to evaluate the conference has been statutorily mandated by chapter 317, Hawaii Revised Statutes, since 1970.

Your Committee finds this bill provides formal recognition for the Council by establishing the Hawaii State Student Council in the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The measure mandates the continuation of the Council as a forum that includes an annual conference for students statewide where issues and problems relating to youth and school may be identified and discussed. Your Committee believes that the Hawaii State Student Council and related annual State Student Conference have provided valuable experiences where students have learned how government works, while developing leadership, organizational and problem solving skills, and community building skills.

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. 670, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.