CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 59

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: S.B. No. 981

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 981, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII TEACHER STANDARDS BOARD SPECIAL FUND,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose and intent of this measure is to repeal the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board special fund and transfer the remaining balance to the general fund.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board special fund is used to pay for the expenses of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, including operational and personnel costs and reimbursements to Board members for travel expenses. Due to limited resources, the Board has been forced to reduce its staff, which limits the scope of services and support to Hawaii teachers, school counselors, and school librarians. Funding the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board through the general fund will allow the Board to continue to fully support teacher licensing, educator preparation programs, and professional development.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the date when all unencumbered balances remaining in the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board special fund shall lapse to the general fund from June 30, 2021, to July 1, 2019; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2019.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 981, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 981, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON Co-Chair	____________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI Chair
____________________________ SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI Co-Chair	____________________________ DRU KANUHA Co-Chair