STAND. COM. REP. NO.  787

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 158

      H.D. 3

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 158, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TUITION ASSISTANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to assist members of the National Guard with higher education expenses.  Among other things, this bill:

     (1)  Expands the scope of the Hawaii National Guard's tuition assistance program by including members with officer ranks O-4 and O-5;

     (2)  Authorizes tuition assistance for students working toward any degree; and

     (3)  Provides priority consideration for tuition assistance to those students working toward an associate or undergraduate degree as well as those students who are enlisted personnel and warrant officers.  

The Adjutant General of the State of Hawaii and National Association for Uniformed Services Hawaii Chapter testified in support of this bill.  The State Office of Veterans Services and University of Hawaii provided comments.  

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 158, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 158, H.D. 3.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair