STAND. COM. REP. NO 115

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1347

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1347 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 public schools, upon approval, to use school resources to distribute to students and their families third party promotional materials that contain information about a community event or are produced by or offer services from a nonprofit organization.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Democratic Party of Hawaii Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus.

Your Committee finds that it is important for public schools to engage with community nonprofit organizations.  This measure gives principals the authority to review and, if approved by the complex area superintendent, distribute promotional materials regarding community events that have a clear benefit for students.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1347 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair