STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1349

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 1384

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1384 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide that the prohibition against serving two consecutive terms not to exceed eight consecutive years for members of state boards and commissions shall not apply to the term of the representative of Hawaiian medium early learning providers on the Early Learning Board from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2025.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; University of Hawai‘i at Hilo; one member of the Maui County Council; ‘Aha Pūnana Leo; Pūnana Leo o Hilo; Pūnana Leo o Waimea; Pūnana Leo o Kona; Pūnana Leo o Maui; Pūnana Leo o Lahaina; Pūnana Leo o Hāna; Pūnana Leo o Moloka‘i; Pūnana Leo o Mānoa; Pūnana Leo o Honolulu; Pūnana Leo o Poko; Pūnana Leo o Wai‘anae; Pūnana Leo o Kaua‘i; Pūnana Leo; Ke‘ena Kula Kamali‘i; Kaulanakilohana; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning and Early Learning Board. Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Early Learning Board is primarily tasked with the development of the State's early childhood system to ensure a spectrum of high-quality development and learning opportunities for children throughout the State, from prenatal care until when children enter kindergarten. Your Committee further finds that learning opportunities that promote the study of Hawaiian culture, history, and language are necessary parts to be included within the State's early childhood system. This measure will allow for continued and consistent representation of Hawaiian medium early learning providers on the Early Learning Board.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing the sunset date of July 1, 2025; and

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050.

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. 1384, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1384, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair