Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Education and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2883 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the University of Hawaii (UH) Board of Regents to provide tuition waivers or reductions to members of the National Guard or the military reserves in Hawaii, active duty military personnel stationed in Hawaii, and their dependents.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the UH, the State Department of Defense, and the Hawaii National Guard Enlisted Association.

Your Committees find that with the uncertainties in the world today, the Hawaii National Guard must maintain its personnel strength to protect our home front while continuing to support our nation's war on terrorism. This measure is a means of easing life for national guard troops and rewarding them for their heroism. As a side benefit, this measure also serves as a valuable recruitment tool and an incentive to retain soldiers and airmen in the national guard.

Your Committees have amended this measure to:

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Education and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2883, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2883, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.