STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1131

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   S.B. No. 683

      S.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 683, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES VII AND X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A SURCHARGE ON RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY AND VISITOR ACCOMMODATIONS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase funding for a quality public education for the children of Hawaii by proposing amendments to the Hawaii State Constitution that would allow the Legislature to establish a surcharge on residential investment property and visitor accommodations.

The Board of Education, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, IMUAlliance, Parents for Public Schools of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Hui for Excellence in Education, Americans for Democratic Action, Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network, Committee for Education Funding, Hawaii Children's Action Network, Outrigger Hotels Hawaii, and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, Chair of the Maui County Council, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, American Resort Development Association of Hawaii, Rental By Owner Awareness Association, Hawaii Association of Realtors, The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Building Industry Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, Maui Chamber of Commerce, and several concerned individuals testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Education, Department of Budget and Finance, Office of the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Autism Society of Hawaii, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii provided comments.

     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 S.B. No. 683, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair