STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3114

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2163

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2163, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EARLY EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Executive Office on Early Learning for additional operational costs, including equipment, supplies, and personnel costs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning, Early Learning Board, and Hawaii Children's Action Network.

Your Committee finds that Act 202, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, among other things, broadened the scope of the early learning program to include early childhood development and expanded the function of the Early Learning Advisory Board beyond an advisory capacity. These additional responsibilities require additional resources for the Executive Office on Early Learning due to additional operational costs for equipment, supplies, and personnel. This measure supports the development of the State's early childhood system to continue providing high-quality development and learning opportunities for children throughout the State.

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. 2163, 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,

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair