STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1271

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 183

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 183, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to respond to recommendations made by the Auditor pursuant to a study on the appropriate accountability structure for the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.

     More specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Establishes an advisory committee to:

          (A)  Provide oversight of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board;

          (B)  Provide to the Governor lists of qualified candidates for appointment to the Board; and

          (C)  Provide to the Board of Education a list of qualified candidates for appointment as Executive Director of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board;

     (2)  Authorizes the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to:

          (A)  Determine the manner by which teacher licensing fees are collected;

          (B)  Adopt, amend, repeal, or suspend the policies and standards of the Board; and

          (C)  Coordinate the creation of a data interface network, consisting of teacher education institutions and the Department of Education, to support the free interchange of valuable information; and

     (3)  Appropriates funds for the establishment of a data interface network.

     Your Committee received four written comments on this measure.  The written comments may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     In studying the appropriate accountability structure for the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, the Auditor recommended the establishment of an advisory committee to provide oversight of the Board.  Your Committee finds that this measure fulfills that recommendation, which will contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.  In addition, the data interface network will promote a data-sharing effort that will benefit public and private school teachers and enhance the education of all students in the State.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by specifying that the amount of the appropriation is $1.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 183, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 183, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair