STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1316

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: S.B. No. 856

S.D. 1

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 Lower & Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 856, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Auditor to perform a financial and management audit of the Department of Education, Superintendent of Education, Board of Education, and complex areas every three years and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature following each audit.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce, The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Honolulu County Republican Party, and a concerned individual supported this measure. The Hawaii State Teachers Association, Democratic Party of Hawai‘i Education Caucus, and a few concerned individuals opposed this measure. The Department of Education and Office of the Auditor offered comments on this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2052, to encourage further discussion on this measure.

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 S.B. No. 856, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 856, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Legislative Management.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Lower & Higher Education,

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair