STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2598

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2941

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, 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. The program is to be established within six months of the effective date of this Act.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education and two private individuals.

Your Committee finds that this measure is part of the Department of Education's ongoing efforts to ensure that public school children are provided with opportunities that foster health, safety, education, school readiness, and success. The ocean is a vital and essential part of everyone's life in Hawaii. An ocean safety and stewardship education program will help cultivate a love of the ocean based on respect, safety, and stewardship early in the lives of our keiki.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2941 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair