STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3118

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2941

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2941 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Education to establish and administer an ocean safety and stewardship education program for all fourth grade students.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design of the Department of Education, Injury Prevention Advisory Committee, Hawaii Aquatics Foundation, Na Kama Kai, Makaha Hawaiian Civic Club, Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death for children in the State who are under fifteen years of age.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, 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 S.B. No. 2941, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2941, S.D. 1.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair