HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2269
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to post-secondary education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that community colleges play a vital role in meeting the State's employment needs. A well-trained and highly qualified work force will attract employers to the State, diversify the local economy, and allow Hawaii to compete in the global market.

The purpose of this Act is to continue the State's transition of providing free public education for students in kindergarten through community college by establishing a pilot program for community college tuition waivers.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established a community college tuition waiver pilot program.

(b) Beginning with the fall 2023 semester, the University of Hawaii board of regents shall waive the tuition of any person who is admitted to and enrolled full-time at a community college campus of the University of Hawaii located in a county with a population of fewer than one hundred thousand residents; provided that the person either:

(1) (A) Is a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen;

(B) Has been a resident of the State for at least twelve months prior to applying for the waiver;

(C) Qualifies for resident tuition;

(D) Is a graduate of a private or public high school located in the State;

(E) Maintains satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the community college at which the person is enrolled;

(F) Maintains continuous full-time enrollment at a community college, except for medical or personal absences approved by the community college;

(G) Is physically present in the State; and

(H) Is twenty-five years of age or younger; or

(2) (A) Completes and submits to the University of Hawaii board of regents a Free Application for Federal Student Aid;

(B) Has been a resident of the county for at least two years;

(C) Attended a high school located in the county for at least two years; and

(D) Graduated from a high school located in the county.

(c) For purposes of this Act, an "eligible non-citizen" means an individual who is:

(1) A United States permanent resident who holds a permanent resident card;

(2) A conditional permanent resident of the United States; or

(3) The holder of an arrival-departure record (I-94) from the Department of Homeland Security showing any one of the following designations:

(A) Refugee;

(B) Asylum granted;

(C) Parolee; or

(D) Cuban-Haitian Entrant.

(d) The pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2025.

SECTION 3. No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026, the University of Hawaii board of regents shall submit a report to the legislature of its findings and recommendations regarding the outcome of the community college tuition waiver pilot program, including:

(1) The cost of implementing the pilot program;

(2) The estimated cost of expanding the pilot program statewide;

(3) Whether the pilot program should be expanded statewide; and

(4) Proposed legislation, if any.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

UH; Community College; Tuition Waiver; Pilot Program

Description:

Establishes a pilot program to offer tuition waivers for certain community college students starting in fall 2023. Requires the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to submit a report.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.