STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1399-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.R. No. 62

      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.R. No. 62 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ONLY PURCHASE OR LEASE LARGE SCHOOL BUSES THAT HAVE AN OPERABLE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY AT ALL DESIGNATED SEATING POSITIONS AND SEAT BACKS THAT ARE AT LEAST TWENTY‑FOUR INCHES IN HEIGHT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Education (DOE) to only purchase or lease large school buses that have an operable seat belt assembly at all designated seating positions and have seat backs that are at least twenty-four inches in height to ensure the safety of our school children.

     Numerous concerned individuals testified in strong support of the measure.  DOE testified in opposition to the resolution.

     Your Committee has amended the measure by:

     (1)  Transferring the responsibility to the Board of                    Education as they are the appropriate authority in the        matter.

     (2)  Changing the title to reflect the change to the content       of the resolution.

     (3)  Making technical, non-substantive 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 62, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 62, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

ROY TAKUMI, Chair