STAND. COM. REP. NO.  223-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2978

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2978 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve the state's higher education system that is vital to stimulating the economic growth and success of Hawaii by:

     (1)  Establishing the Funding Formula Task Force to develop and equitable, consistent, and responsive funding formula for the distribution of fiscal resources throughout the University of Hawaii (UH) system, with the assistance of an independent consultant; and

     (2)  Appropriating funds as a one-time allocation to address the base operational needs of UH campuses that have demonstrated a significant increase in enrollment.

     The chancellor of UH at Hilo testified in support of this bill.  UH supported this measure with amendments.  The Office of Information Practices offered comments.

     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. 2978 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 Higher Education,

____________________________

JERRY L. CHANG, Chair