STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1066

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1231

       H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1231, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISASTER RELIEF,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Specify instances in which the Department of Education may retain federal reimbursements for disaster relief; and

     (2)  Clarify that the Department of Education may carry over funds received as a disaster relief appropriation or reimbursement.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

     Your Committee finds that expenditures for disaster and emergency relief made by state agencies, including the Department of Education, are eligible for federal reimbursements.  Your Committee further finds that, in the event that reimbursement is delayed and the original appropriation has lapsed, the reimbursement will go to the state treasury.  This measure will ensure that the Department of Education can retain and use federal reimbursements for their original intended purpose in the event of a disaster.

     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 H.B. No. 1231, H.D. 1, 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,

________________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair