HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2200
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to student loan forgiveness for the elderly.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart D, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§304A- Elder student loan forgiveness program. (a) There is established the elder student loan forgiveness program to be administered by the university of Hawaii to provide student loan forgiveness to elders.

(b) Upon a showing that an applicant:

(1) Has obtained a degree from an institution of higher education in the United States;

(2) Is sixty-five years of age or older;

(3) Is a resident of Hawaii;

(4) Has completed not less than ten total years of full‑time public employment with the State, any county of the State, or the United States while in the State;

(5) Has outstanding student loan amounts that:

(A) Were incurred to obtain the degree in paragraph (1); provided that if the applicant has multiple degrees from one or more institutions of higher education in the United States and corresponding outstanding student loan amounts for those degrees, the sum of those outstanding student loan amounts shall be applicable for purposes of this paragraph;

(B) Are not in default; and

(C) In no part can be forgiven under any federal program, including under 20 U.S.C. Section 1078‑11 or 34 C.F.R. Section 685.219; and

(6) For the three most recent taxable years, had a federal adjusted gross income of less than:

(A) $ for a taxpayer filing a single return or a married person filing separately;

(B) $ for a taxpayer filing as a head of household; or

(C) $ for a taxpayer filing a joint return or as a surviving spouse,

the university shall provide loan forgiveness to the applicant, subject to available funds.

(c) Total loan forgiveness for each individual shall be the lesser of $ or the amount calculated under section (b)(5)(A).

(d) Upon written request by a prospective applicant on a form prescribed by the employees' retirement system, the employees' retirement system shall determine if the prospective applicant satisfies the requirement in subsection (b)(4), and if so, shall issue a certificate to the applicant that may be used to demonstrate satisfaction of the requirement in subsection (b)(4)."

SECTION 2. In accordance with section 9 of article VII, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ , or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that the appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest and to meet the need provided for by this Act.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the elder student loan forgiveness program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Student Loan Forgiveness; Elder; UH; ERS; Appropriation; General Fund Expenditure Ceiling Exceeded

Description:

Establishes a student loan forgiveness program within the University of Hawaii to forgive outstanding student loans of elders who have graduated from an institution of higher education in the United States and have worked for at least 10 years in public service. Requires the Employees' Retirement System to assist applicants with demonstrating proof of public employment. Appropriates moneys. Declares that the appropriation exceeds the state general fund expenditure ceiling for 2024-2025.

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