STAND. COM. REP. NO.  499

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 18

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 18 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to allow for greater flexibility for the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) by:

     (1)  Authorizing HTSB to suspend temporarily its rules, policies, and standards in extenuating circumstances; and

     (2)  Authorizing HTSB to amend licensing-related fees and set or amend other charges related to the performance of its duties.

     The University of Hawaii, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Education supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that HTSB needs flexibility in its operations in licensing more than 12,000 teachers statewide.  This flexibility will allow HTSB to act more quickly in issuing teaching licenses and help address the teacher shortages that plague Hawaii's educational system.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 18 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________

ALEX M. SONSON, Chair