STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3311

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2206

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2206, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa and University of Hawaii at Hilo for athletics.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that, for decades, University of Hawaii athletics have captivated Hawaii's people. University of Hawaii athletic programs offer teams opportunities to play before Hawaii's people and against teams from the continental United States and internationally as ambassadors of the State. Student athletes playing for University of Hawaii teams also have the opportunity to continue competitive play while earning postsecondary credentials. However, higher costs that are unique to Hawaii, which peer institutions do not have to address, pose some challenges to University of Hawaii athletic departments. To address the high costs of collegiate athletics, while also developing infrastructure and recruitment for future seasons, funding is needed to continue the University of Hawaii's rich legacy of athletic excellence.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an amount of $3,600,000 of general funds to be appropriated to program ID University of Hawaii, Manoa (UOH100) for the purposes of the measure provided that the Board of Regents consider certain matters pertaining to athletic coaching contracts and terminations of employment; and

(2) Inserting an amount of $400,000 of general funds to be appropriated to program ID University of Hawaii, Hilo (UOH 210) for athletics.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2206, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2206, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair