STAND. COM. REP. NO. 403

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 1171

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1171 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RELIEF FUNDING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Board of Regents to use funds from the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund for student aid in direct response to an emergency or disaster, as declared by the Governor.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System and University of Hawaiʻi Student Caucus.

Your Committee finds that this measure will enable the University of Hawaii to offer financial support to students through funding from the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund during disaster situations. Your Committee further finds that the University's ability to provide disaster relief funding will enhance student retention and improve overall student success.

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 that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1171, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1171, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair