Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 3120 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the amount of general fund appropriations to the University of Hawaii systemwide previously appropriated for the B Plus scholarship program, and to clarify the income guidelines.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the UH should increase its efforts to improve access to higher education by providing need-based aid for Hawaii residents. With the increases in tuition at University of Hawaii, your Committee is concerned that increasing numbers of students will find higher education to be unaffordable. As a public institution supported by public funds, a University of Hawaii education must not become the privilege of a select few. Your Committee notes that some public universities in other states provide for free tuition for residents as an incentive to obtain a college degree. The overall effect of this policy is to raise the quality of a state's workforce, and thus positively impact economic development.

Your Committee has amended this measure on the recommendation of the University of Hawaii to clarify the language on need-based aid.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3120, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3120, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.