STAND. COM. REP. NO. 132

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 246

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Lower & Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 246 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address the inadequate facilities that public charter schools must utilize for child learning by:

(1) Specifying that the rental or lease of facilities be considered by the Legislature when deciding upon an appropriation and bond authorization to the State Public Charter School Commission; and

(2) Appropriating funds for the State Public Charter School Commission to allocate for infrastructure costs, lease or rent assistance, and repair and maintenance of network infrastructure for public charter schools.

The State Public Charter School Commission, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Connections Public Charter School, Hālau Kū Māna Public Charter School, Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School, Kua O Ka Lā New Century Public Charter School, Kula Aupuni Niihau A Kahelelani Aloha Public Charter School, Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science Public Charter School, Kamehameha Schools, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Education Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Ka Huli O Haloa, South Maui Learning Ohana, Inc., and several individuals testified in support of this measure. Volcano School of Arts & Sciences and an individual testified in opposition.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to promote further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Lower & Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 246, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 246, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Lower & Higher Education,

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair