STAND. COM. REP. NO. 329-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1488

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 1488 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RESIDENCE FOR TUITION PURPOSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the tuition residency rules for the University of Hawaii to grant the resident tuition fee for enrollment at any University of Hawaii campus, including any community college, to all Hawaii high school graduates and persons who have received equivalent graduation credentials in the State should they choose to return from out of state and pursue higher education in Hawaii, under certain conditions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, Department of Education, Pono Hawai‘i Initiative, and five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that simplifying the determination of who qualifies for in-state resident tuition would reduce barriers for local students who wish to pursue higher education or additional training at the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Updating its purpose section;

(2) Allowing adult or minor students enrolled in a high school in Hawaii for at least twelve consecutive months preceding the student's first day of officially scheduled instruction at a particular college or campus of the University of Hawaii to qualify for resident tuition;

(3) For purposes of enrollment at any University of Hawaii campus, including any community college, allowing a student who:

(A) Received a high school diploma or its equivalent in the State within eight years preceding the student's first day of officially scheduled instruction at the University of Hawaii; and

(B) Is working toward an undergraduate degree,

to qualify for resident tuition;

(4) Removing the requirement that the student demonstrate the student's intent to reside in Hawaii by registering as a Hawaii voter;

(5) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(6) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1488, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1488, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair