STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2065

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2387

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2387 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to allow the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to assess fees for campus parking at an open meeting subject to chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, but exempt from rule-making public notice, public hearing, and gubernatorial approval requirements under chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the University of Hawaii System.  Common Cause Hawaii, the University of Hawaii Student Caucus, and two individuals submitted testimony in opposition.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that this measure will make the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii's rule-making process regarding parking fees more efficient but also notes the concern that exempting the Board of Regents from certain requirements under chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, may reduce the frequency of public participation in the decision making process.  Your Committee emphasizes that under this measure, the Board of Regents will still be required by chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to publicize and provide ample notice to the University of Hawaii community and surrounding communities of any proposed changes to parking fees and that members of the University of Hawaii and surrounding communities will be allowed to provide input to the Board of Regents prior to the adoption of those changes.

     Given the concerns raised by both students and community members, your Committee strongly encourages the University of Hawaii to make any and all attempts to ensure that affected parties are aware of and can participate in the public hearing process to consider parking fee changes.

     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 S.B. No. 2387 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

JILL TOKUDA, Chair