STAND. COM. REP. NO. 699

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 283

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 283 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL PER‑PUPIL FUNDING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide equitable funding for all public school students.

Specifically, this measure excludes from the public charter school per-pupil funding calculation all amounts relating to programs that provide comparable benefits to all public school students, regardless of whether the student attends a Department of Education school or a public charter school.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Teachers Association, Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission.

Your Committee finds that this measure directs the Department of Education's Committee on Weights, when calculating the per‑pupil amount for public charter schools, to not include amounts relating to programs that provide comparable benefits to students in both Department of Education schools and public charter schools.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 283 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair