STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3699

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2165

H.D. 1

S.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 Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2165, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate moneys for the Hawaii promise program to provide scholarships for the unmet direct cost needs of qualified students enrolled at any University of Hawaii campus, including any community college campus.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education; the University of Hawaii System; Kamehameha Schools; Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the measure addresses a statewide concern by facilitating the State's efforts to have an educated labor force and engaged citizenry, which are essential in today's global, knowledge-based economy.

Your Committee has amended the measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2165, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2165, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair