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 S.B. No. 94 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to propose an amendment to the State Constitution to give the student member of the Board of Education (BOE) voting rights on all matters except decisions relating to personnel.

BOE submitted testimony in support of this bill.

Your Committee finds that efforts have been made for many years to give the student member of the BOE voting status. Concerns that have been raised by critics of this measure in previous years regarding its legality have all been addressed by the Attorney General and found to be without merit. Questions regarding the maturity of the student member have also been allayed, as the rigorous selection process has ensured that the student member is very qualified. Additionally, for the first time ever, the BOE supports this bill.

Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this bill by:

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 S.B. No. 94, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 94, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.