Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1648 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

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

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the University of Hawaii and The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.

Your Committees find that previously approved funding levels for the tuition assistance program have been inadequate and adversely affect this service. The increased reliance on reservists has placed heavy demands on the Hawaii National Guard and local reserve units. This measure will assist in the recruitment and retention efforts to enable the National Guard to retain a force capable of meeting the needs of the State and nation.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1648 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.