STAND. COM. REP. NO. 346-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1535

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 1535 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expand the Hawaii Promise Program to provide scholarships for the unmet needs of qualified undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of Hawaii at Hilo, and University of Hawaii-West Oahu, and appropriate funds to establish and implement the expanded program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and University of Hawaii Professional Assembly.

Your Committee finds that this measure will increase the number of students who enroll and earn degrees, particularly those from underrepresented regions and populations, to prepare them for success in the workforce and their communities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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. 1535, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1535, 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