STAND. COM. REP. NO.  145-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2971

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2971 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to expand online learning opportunities for students across the state by requiring the Department of Education (DOE) to implement the recommendations of the Online Learning Task Force (Task Force).

     DOE testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii State Teachers Association supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee notes that an appropriation is necessary to implement the Task Force's recommendations, but will defer the decision on inserting an appropriation to the Committee on Finance, as the budget will determine whether or not funds are available.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2971 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ROY TAKUMI, Chair