STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3191

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 220

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 220 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONSIDER CONTINUING PROJECT GRADUATION TRAINING THROUGH DRIVER EDUCATION UNDERWRITERS' FEES AS PART OF TRAFFIC SAFETY EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Education to consider continuing Projection Graduation training through driver education underwriters' fees as part of traffic safety education.

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Education, Mothers Against Drunk Driving – Hawaii and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the youth must be protected from the severe and negative consequences of alcohol and drug abuse, which is often a problem on certain occasions such as graduation night.  Accordingly, "Project Graduation" was conceived as an all-night, alcohol- and drug-free, post-commencement festivity during which graduates celebrate spiritedly and safely.  Over the years, the event has grown and a large percentage of public high schools host their own Project Graduation events here in Hawaii.  Unfortunately, the federal grant supporting Project Graduation training is scheduled to expire in September 2008.  This measure requests the Department of Education to consider continuing Projection Graduation training through driver education underwriters' fees as part of traffic safety education.  Your Committee determines that the utilization of these funds is necessary and appropriate to promoting traffic safety education in the State.

     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 S.C.R. No. 220 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair