Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2156, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to establish a Governor's School Readiness Commission to develop an early childhood education program known as the Open Doors Expansion Program that meets professionally accepted standards and that is delivered by well-trained early childhood educators in a variety of private and public settings.

The Hawaii Business Roundtable, Childcare Business Coalition, Waianae Coast Early Childhood Services, Inc., Hawaii Association for the Education of Young Children, Good Beginnings Alliance, Blueprint for Change, and a number of concerned individuals testified in support of this bill. The Department of Education, Department of Human Services, PATCH, and a concerned individual supported the intent of this measure. Blueprint for Change supported this with amendment.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2156, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.