STAND. COM. REP. NO. 678

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1384

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, 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 and intent of this measure is to provide that the prohibition against serving two consecutive terms not to exceed eight consecutive years pursuant to section 26-34(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall not apply to the representative of Hawaiian medium early learning providers' term limit from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2025.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Early Learning Board provides crucial input, direction, and oversight necessary for the Executive Office on Early Learning to achieve its statutory responsibilities. Representatives on the Early Learning Board are reflective of the diversity of the early care and education field in Hawaii, providing unique and important input on how to best serve Hawaii's families and young children. The State has long recognized the value of its host culture and has taken such actions as designating the Hawaiian language as one of its two official state languages and creating Hawaiian language immersion charter schools. This measure will allow for better, continued representation for Hawaiian early learning providers on the Early Learning Board.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1384 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair