STAND. COM. REP. NO. 38

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 457

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 457 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PUNA DISTANCE LEARNING CENTER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Appropriate funds for a post-secondary distance learning center in the Puna district within Hawaii Community College; and

(2) Require the University of Hawaii to submit a report on the Puna distance learning center to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i.

Your Committee finds that a critical need exists to strengthen rural outreach, education, and economic development in Puna, one of the most underserved areas in the State and the fastest growing district on the island of Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that distance learning opportunities through the University of Hawaii System are currently providing valuable benefits to students throughout Hawaii, and distance learning has the potential to provide immeasurable benefits to residents in Puna.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 457 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 Higher Education,

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair