STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1281

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 208

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 208 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO AUTHORIZE AN E-SPORTS PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Board of Education to authorize an e-sports program for public high schools in the State.

Your Committee received no testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that electronic sports, more commonly known as e‑sports, are video game competitions, often in organized, multiplayer video games, among professional players who compete individually or as teams. The e-sports industry is projected to produce more than $1,000,000,000 in global revenue each year, with video game companies being a major driver of jobs in the United States and generating more revenue than the music and film industries combined. The support of high school e-sports in Hawaii could aid in creating a path for students to attend college through networking, scholarships, and mentorship. The support of high school e-sports could inspire student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) topics at a young age. This measure will encourage the Department of Education to offer an e-sport program to high school students, which will promote students' passion for video games through competition and social interactions, foster personal growth and academic research, and educate and prepare students for opportunities in the video game industry.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 208 and recommends its adoption.

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

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair