Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 114 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Legislative Reference Bureau to research options for establishing a dedicated funding mechanism to implement the public purpose and responsibilities as specified in Act 77, Session Laws of Hawaii 1997, relating to early childhood education and care.

Your Committee received testimony from the Good Beginnings Alliance and the Department of Education in support of this measure. The Legislative Reference Bureau submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that Act 77, Session Laws of Hawaii 1997, authorized a nonprofit corporation to receive public funds to implement its purpose of coordinating early childhood education and care services among the state agencies. However, the operation of the nonprofit corporation needs to be funded and supported partly by annual requests for public funding from the Legislature. Your Committee finds that a dedicated mechanism of providing public funding for the nonprofit corporation's operation is necessary.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 114 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.