STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3778

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 7

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.R. No. 7 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF THE STATE ESTABLISHING A UNIVERSAL, NO-COST PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request that the Legislative Reference Bureau conduct a study, and submit a report to the Legislature, on the feasibility of the State establishing a universal no-cost pre-kindergarten program.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning and Early Childhood Action Strategy.

Your Committee finds that a statewide, universal, no-cost pre-kindergarten program may help to ensure that each child in the State receives equal and equitable access to early learning education. However, your Committee believes that it is appropriate to study the feasibility of establishing a statewide, universal, no-cost pre-kindergarten program before implementation of such a program.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 7 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair