STAND. COM. REP. NO. 403

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 939

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 939 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require student transportation costs for charter school students to be included in the Department of Budget and Finance's annual budget request rather than including it in the per-pupil funding amount.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the State Public Charter School Commission, Hawaii State Teachers Association, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and one individual. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committees find that half of the approximately thirty‑six operating charter schools provide student transportation services at various levels, including pick-up to and from school and transportation to outdoor learning experiences and laboratories. Although charter schools receive per-pupil funding to cover various educational costs, charter schools are additionally required to fund student transportation, which results in less funding available for school resources. This measure assists charter schools by providing much needed assistance to ensure that students have access to educational opportunities.

Your Committees have amended this measure by specifying that the State Public Charter School Commission shall determine the qualifications for school transportation and any fee or payment for students.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Transportation that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 939, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 939, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Transportation,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair