CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 71

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 1151

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1151, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to exempt University of Hawaii community college students enrolled in certificate programs from the requirement to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year to be considered eligible for the Hawaii Community College Promise Program.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the Hawaii Community College Promise Program increases access to the University of Hawaii for individuals otherwise unable to afford higher education. Currently, students must complete the FAFSA to qualify for the program. This requirement can present a challenge for students enrolled in certificate programs, including students with developmental disabilities. This measure therefore removes this barrier to accessing financial assistance to allow low-income students to pursue higher education.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2023; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1151, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1151, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ AMY A. PERRUSO Co-Chair	____________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM Chair
____________________________ BERTRAND KOBAYASHI Co-Chair	____________________________ DRU KANUHA Co-Chair