STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2040

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 398

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 398, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to address the shortage of qualified public school teachers in the State.

Specifically, this measure requires the University of Hawaii to establish additional distance-learning classes in teaching for students who are pursuing undergraduate degrees in education.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the University of Hawaii and Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that this measure will help to increase access to teaching classes for students wishing to enter the teaching profession. Your Committee further finds that this measure should be expanded to include graduate level programs in teaching.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the University of Hawaii to also establish additional distance-learning classes in teaching for students pursuing graduate degrees in education; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2035, 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. 398, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 398, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair