STAND. COM. REP. NO.  146-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 3219

      H.D. 1

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. 3219 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to recognize the increased role and responsibility of the Board of Education (BOE) in policymaking and oversight over our public schools and public libraries by:

     (1)  Increasing the compensation rate for BOE members from $100 to $200 per day for each day's actual attendance at meetings;

     (2)  Allowing BOE members to receive personal expenses at rates specified by the board while attending board meetings or while on official business as authorized by the board chairperson;

     (3)  Establishing a protocol allowance to cover expenses incurred in the course of a member's duty and responsibilities; and

     (4)  Appropriates funds for these purposes.

     BOE testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Budget and Finance opposed this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Excluding ad hoc committee meetings and community meetings from those meetings for which BOE members are allowed compensation, expenses, or allowances; 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 Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 3219, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 3219, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ROY TAKUMI, Chair