STAND. COM. REP. NO. 505
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 826
S.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 Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 826 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PUNA DISTANCE LEARNING CENTER,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for a distance learning center in the Puna district within the University of Hawaii at Hilo to provide greater access to secondary education in the Puna district.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System; Pele Lani Farm LLC; We Are One, Inc.; Pele Lani Agricultural and Holistic Center; and seven individuals.
Your Committee finds that a critical need exists to strengthen rural outreach, education, and economic development in Puna, one of the most underserved areas in the State and the fastest growing district on the Island of Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that distance learning opportunities through the University of Hawaii System are currently providing valuable benefits to students throughout Hawaii, and distance learning has the potential to provide immeasurable benefits to residents in Puna.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Inserting blank appropriation amounts; and
(2) Inserting an effective date of May 12, 2059, to encourage further discussion.
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. 826, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 826, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,
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________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair |
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