STAND. COM. REP. NO.  231

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   S.B. No. 8

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 8, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to implement the constitutional amendment to Article X of the Hawaii State Constitution by providing the framework and appointment process for an appointed Board of Education (Board).

     The Special Education Advisory Council, Honolulu District Student Council, all 17 Community Children's Councils of Hawaii, Student Member of the Board, and many concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported this measure with amendments.  The Hawaii Government Employees Association supported the intent of this bill.  Several concerned individuals opposed this measure.  The Governor, Outrigger Hotels, and a concerned individual provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Reducing the number of voting Board members from 11 to nine, including:

          (A)  Increasing to three the number of members from the City and County of Honolulu; and

          (B)  Reducing to three the number of at-large members;

     (2)  Changing provisions regarding the public high school student member by:

          (A)  Removing voting privileges from the public high school student member;

          (B)  Requiring that the public high school student member continue to be selected by the Hawaii State Student Council; and

          (C)  Removing provisions that require the public high school student member to have an overall 2.0 GPA and be passing classes for graduation;

     (3)  Requiring the Governor to select the chairperson of the Board;

     (4)  Requiring that the chairperson be an at-large member of the Board;

     (5)  Removing provisions requiring Board members to be registered voters;

     (6)  Changing from four to three years the length of terms for Board members;

     (7)  Amending the staggered terms of the initial Board members to conform to the lower number of members on the Board;

     (8)  Amending the quorum requirements to conform to the lower number of members on the Board;

     (9)  Requiring the Governor to produce a document articulating the Administration's goals and priorities in the formation of a highly-functioning, well-balanced Board;

    (10)  Including minimum and recommended qualifications for each Board nominee;

    (11)  Changing from seven to five the number of members required to be appointed prior to the discharge of the current, elected Board; and

    (12)  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 S.B. No. 8, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 8, S.D. 1, 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