STAND. COM. REP. NO. 266-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2094

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Lower & Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2094 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to fill the need for qualified educators across the early learning system in programs delivered in either of Hawaii's two official languages by establishing an early childhood educator stipend program that encourages individuals, especially those already working in the early childhood field, to pursue a certificate, degree, or license in early childhood education.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning, State Public Charter School Commission, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Kamehameha Schools, Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, and eleven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Early Learning Board.

Your Committee finds that the program established pursuant to this measure is based on the Grow Your Own Teacher stipend program for kindergarten through grade twelve teachers and structured similarly to the stipend program that was federally funded but ended in 2019.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the amount appropriated to an unspecified amount; and

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050.

Should your Committee on Finance decide to hear this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider appropriating $600,000 for the establishment and implementation of the Hawaii early childhood educator stipend program.

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. 2094, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2094, 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