Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2366 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make a $1,000,000 appropriation for tuition assistance for members of the Hawaii National Guard enrolled in degree programs at the University of Hawaii.

Your Committees received testimony in support of the measure from the State Adjutant General, University of Hawaii, and Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committees find that members of the Reserve and National Guard are facing and will continue to be faced with recalls to active duty. This is a result of the active duty force being downsized since the Vietnam War and the end of the Cold War. The increased use of reserve and guard forces has placed heavy demands on its members and may have negative effect on recruiting and retention. A tuition assistance program would serve as an added incentive for residents to join or remain a member of the Hawaii Reserve and National Guard.

Your Committees have amended the measure by eliminating any specific appropriation figure.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2366, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2366, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.