Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 128 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the University of Hawaii to study the feasibility of permitting certain immigrant students who have not yet attained legal permanent resident status to attend the University of Hawaii (UH) at the resident tuition rate.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the measure from the UH.

Your Committee finds that the constitutional autonomy of the UH must be respected, particularly as this measure could potentially lead to a reduction in tuition revenues should the UH decide to permit certain immigrant students who have not yet attained legal permanent resident status to attend at the resident tuition rate. However, this measure merely requests a study and does not mandate the UH to perform any action. More importantly, the UH testified in support of the measure, noting that state legislation recently passed in California and Texas allows such immigrants to pay resident tuition rates. Like Hawaii, these states have large immigrant communities who have historically and currently contributed to the strength of their communities. Such contributions should be respected and encouraged by providing greater access to higher education for them.

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. 128, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.