Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 950 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify that new century charter schools, like all other state agencies without a specific exemption, are required to comply with state land use laws and county land use, zoning, subdivision, and building ordinances and rules.

This measure also subjects new century charter schools to audit and inspection by the Charter School Administrative Office.

Your Committee notes that a similar measure was passed by the legislature last session and was vetoed by the Governor for "singling charter schools out from all other state agencies and subjecting them to county zoning ordinances which other state agencies need not comply (with)." This measure clarifies that charter schools, in the same manner as all other state agencies without a specific exemption, must comply with state land use laws and county land use, zoning, subdivision, and building ordinances and rules.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive changes for clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 950, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 950, S.D. 1.