STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1302-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.C.R. No. 222

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 222 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING A STUDY ON THE COST OF ESTABLISHING PUBLIC PRESCHOOL UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support early childhood education in Hawaii by requesting:

     (1)  The Legislative Reference Bureau to study the cost of establishing public preschools under the Department of Education;

     (2)  The Department of Education to cooperate with the Legislative Reference Bureau and to provide whatever information, assistance, and support that may be requested by the Bureau; and

     (3)  The Legislative Reference Bureau to submit a report of its findings and recommendation to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015.

The Executive Office on Early Learning supported this measure. Good Beginnings Alliance supported this measure with amendments. A concerned individual opposed this measure. The Department of Education, Legislative Reference Bureau, and Hawaii Association of Independent Schools provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 222 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair