STAND. COM. REP. NO.  183

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 777

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 777 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII EDUCATOR LOAN PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention, especially in teacher shortage areas, by appropriating funds to the Hawaii Educator Loan Program, which forgives student loans for individuals who commit to teaching in Hawaii's public schools.

     The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Education and University of Hawaii supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation amount to $1 to encourage               further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity,      consistency, and style.

     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 H.B. No. 777, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 777, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

JERRY L. CHANG, Chair