STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2805

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2423

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2423, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow schools and classes to participate in fundraising or charitable activities, in conjunction with organizations that are exempt from federal taxes or granted an exemption from registration, as part of a school project when the activities benefit student learning.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools and the Hawaii State Teachers Association.  The Hawaii State Ethics Commission submitted written comments in opposition to the measure.

Your Committee finds that school projects involving fundraising or charitable activities provide opportunities for youth to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real world situations.  Engaging students to work alongside staff, parents, and community members for the benefit of worthwhile causes promotes good citizenship and community awareness.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the reference to section 467B-2.1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to section 467B-11.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to indicate the proper section;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion; and

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

     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. 2423, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2423, S.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair