Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2231 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the Auditor's unfettered access to any student records that may be necessary in connection with any audit conducted by the Auditor in the education area.

The measure clarifies that the Auditor is an authorized representative of the Department of Education and Department of Health in connection with any audit or evaluation of any federal or state supported educational program or in connection with the enforcement of related legal requirements. The measure also ensures the confidential nature of the Auditor's records in connection with any such audit in the education area.

Your Committee finds that the Auditor's restricted access to records in the education area has obstructed the constitutional duties of the Auditor in examining educational services and that this measure is necessary to better enable the Auditor to carry out its constitutional and statutory mandates to audit all departments, offices, and agencies of the State.

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 H.B. No. 2231, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.