STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 8

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, 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 measure is to establish statutory provisions that implement the constitutional amendments to article X, section 2, of the Hawaii state constitution that were adopted by the Legislature and ratified by the electorate in the 2010 general election. 

Specifically, this measure:

(1)  Statutorily requires the members of the Board of Education to be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate;

(2)  Establishes factors for the Senate to consider in deciding whether to confirm nominees;

(3)  Directs the Governor to appoint all members of the Board of Education by an unspecified date in 2011; and

(3)  Makes conforming amendments to the Hawaii Revised Statutes to implement the new statutory provisions regarding the appointment of Board of Education members.

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

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's voters recently approved an amendment to the state constitution to require the Board of Education to be appointed by the Governor and no longer elected by the public.  This measure establishes:

     (1)  The process for appointment by the Governor and confirmation by the Senate; and

     (2)  Membership requirements for the Board of Education, including providing for a student member.

Your Committee further finds that, in the coming year, the Board of Education will need to apply new statewide education initiatives and possibly reform existing educational processes to meet qualifications to receive federal Race to the Top funds.  Therefore, it is imperative to establish and implement the process for selecting the leaders of Hawaii's public education system who will meet these challenges.  Your Committee finds that this measure is intended to expedite the implementation of the amendments to the state constitution and respond to the voter mandate to establish an appointed Board of Education in a timely manner.

     Your Committee supports the recommendations of the Committee on Education and urges the Governor to consider its suggestions relating to representation on the Board of Education.  Further, your Committee encourages the timely appointment of members so that the Senate may undertake the confirmation process during the current legislative session.

     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 S.B. No. 8, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair