STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2142

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2603

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2603 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR EARLY LEARNING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an appropriation to the Executive Office on Early Learning and the Early Learning Advisory Board for staffing, travel, and attendance at conferences.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission, Executive Office on Early Learning, Early Learning Advisory Board, Community Children's Councils Legislative Committee, and Kamehameha Schools.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that adequate staffing and funds are important to support the Executive Office on Early Learning in fulfilling its obligations to Hawaii's children.  Currently, the office is understaffed and requires additional resources to ensure that its members can travel throughout the State to perform their duties.

     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. 2603 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair