Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.R. No. 47 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the United States Congress to appropriate funds for 40% of special education and related services for children with disabilities.

Your Committees heard testimony in support of the measure from the Department of Education and the Attorney General.

Your Committees find that the Individuals with Disabilities Act can be construed as an underfunded Federal mandate in that the law allows the Federal government to fund up to 40% of special education costs, while Hawaii has traditionally received only 10-12%. The negative ramifications of this severe underfunding are amplified by the even higher expenditures mandated by the Felix Consent Decree. Your Committees find that, in such a fiscal and legal context, it is imperative that the Legislature act expeditiously to identify and secure all potential sources of funding. This should include urging the United States Congress to fund programs at levels already stipulated in current law.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 47 and recommends its adoption.