STAND. COM. REP. NO. 478

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 919

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 919 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 adult students who have obtained a Hawaii high school diploma or equivalent credential, register to vote in the State, and are working toward their first undergraduate degree, under certain conditions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, Hawai‘i P-20 Partnerships for Education, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that an educated citizenry is the foundation for a strong state. This measure assists with increasing access to higher education, streamlines the residency process, and reduces barriers to local students enrolling at the University of Hawaii to pursue additional education and training.

Your Committee acknowledges, however, that in 2022, all references to the requirement that an applicant demonstrate their intent to reside in Hawaii were removed from chapter 20-4 of the Hawaii Administrative Rules, and that the requirement that an applicant demonstrate this intent by registering as a Hawaii voter may create barriers to students who are ineligible to vote because of age or citizenship. Because this requirement may hinder enrollment, your Committee recommends it be removed. In addition, your Committee finds that an individual who is still a minor could benefit from the changes in this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding a finding that this measure involves an issue of statewide concern;

(2) Expanding the in-state tuition to also apply to students who are minors;

(3) Deleting the requirement that the student demonstrate an intent to reside in Hawaii by registering as a Hawaii voter; and

(4) 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. 919, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 919, 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,

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair