STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1251

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   S.B. No. 1162

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1162, S.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1)  Establish the Hawaii Promise Program to provide scholarships for the unmet direct cost needs of qualified students enrolled at any University of Hawaii campus, including community college campus;

(2)  Establish the Hawaii Promise Program Special Fund administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial assistance to qualified students through the Hawaii Promise Program; and

(3)  Appropriate funds to establish and implement the Hawaii Promise Program.

The University of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs,  Faculty Senate at Leeward Community College, University of Hawaii Student Caucus, Associated Students of the University of Hawaii at Windward Community College, Associated Students of the University of Hawaii-West Oahu, Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, National Federation of Filipino American Association Region 12, Filipino American Citizens League, Nursing Advocates & Mentors, Inc., Filipino-American Advocacy Network, PangKAalamang SAmahan ng mga MAg-aaral-Philippine Studies Student Society at University of Hawaii: Leeward Community College, Kai Hawaii Inc., University of Hawaii Alumni Association, UHM Office of Multicultural Student Services, Graduate Student Organization at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Kamehameha Schools, and numerous concerned individuals supported this bill.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring a student enrolled at a community college to maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average and a student enrolled in any other University of Hawaii campus to maintain a 2.5 grade point average;

     (2)  Adding as an additional requirement to qualify for the Hawaii Promise Program, that the student commit to residing in the State for at least five years after receiving a baccalaureate degree to pursue a graduate degree or an employment opportunity; and

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

     Your Committee notes that several school-age persons testified that should they qualify for the Hawaii Promise Program (Program), they would be willing to stay in Hawaii for five years after receiving their degrees.  Your Committee finds that the Program will benefit Hawaii's youth by providing them the opportunity to pursue a post-secondary education at University of Hawaii System campuses without incurring educational debts.  Your Committee firmly believes that the Program will cause Hawaii's youth to return to and use their degrees in Hawaii to contribute to a knowledge-based economy.

     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 S.B. No. 1162, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1162, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair