STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2716

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2381

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 2381, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL CLOSURES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow for a more efficient system by which schools can be closed due to emergencies created by natural disasters.

More specifically, this measure authorizes a school's principal to close the school in the event of an emergency created by a natural disaster without consultation with, and approval from, the complex area superintendent.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the OCC Legislative Priorities Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that a school's principal is the most qualified administrator to make the decision to close a school in the event of an emergency created by a natural disaster. Your Committee believes that this measure will help ensure timely school closures and the safe evacuation of students and faculty.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 S.B. No. 2381, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2381, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair