Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 874 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to hire fifteen permanent athletic health care trainer positions in the Department of Education.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Education (DOE), Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Government Employees Association, the Athletic Directors and Coaches Association, the DOE Athletic Health Care Trainers, and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that additional athletic health care trainer positions will assist the DOE in meeting the National Athletic Trainers Association's recommended ratios for trainers to student-athletes. Currently, the department does not meet the standard, but the additional funds appropriated by this measure would assist in meeting the standard and ensure the safety and well being of student-athletes in our public schools.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 874 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.