STAND. COM. REP. NO.  626-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 1799

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1799 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to encourage students at the University of Hawaii to complete their undergraduate degrees in a timely manner by limiting the number of credit hours for which a student may receive resident tuition fees to 140.

A concerned individual supported this measure.  The University of Hawaii and several concerned individuals opposed the measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Raising the limit on the number of credit hours for which a student may receive resident tuition fees from 140 to 150;

     (2)  Specifying that only credits that can be used to fulfill the requirements of an undergraduate degree count toward the total number of credit hours for which a student may receive resident tuition fees;

     (3)  Allowing students to complete two undergraduate degrees and receive resident tuition fees;

     (4)  Specifying that credits earned from programs such as but not limited to the Early Start Program, Running Start Program, and Advanced Placement Program do not count toward the total number of credit hours for which a student may receive resident tuition fees;

     (5)  Specifying that credits earned from institutions of higher education outside Hawaii do not count toward the total number of credit hours for which a student may receive resident tuition fees;

     (6)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2525, to facilitate further discussion; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1799, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1799, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ISAAC W. CHOY, Chair