STAND. COM. REP. NO. 53

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 573

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 Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 573 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TUITION WAIVERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow the University of Hawaii system to waive tuition for qualified students who are spouses or children of deceased members of the United States military and who qualify for a gold star lapel button.

O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i and two individuals testified in support of this measure. The University of Hawai‘i testified in opposition. The State Office of Veterans Services provided comments.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting the provisions granting tuition waivers;

(2) Appropriating an unspecified amount for scholarships for qualified students who are spouses or children of deceased military members and who qualify for a gold star lapel button;

(3) Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to promote further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee notes, as stated in written testimony submitted to your Committee, that there are less than twenty Gold Star family members residing in Hawaii. Thus, the financial burden to the University of Hawaii system would not be significant. Should this measure proceed through the legislative process, your Committee requests that $100,000 be considered as a suitable appropriation amount to either offset tuition waivers or fund scholarships.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 573, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 573, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Lower & Higher Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs,

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair