STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1748

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1171

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1171, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to enhance the retention and success of University of Hawaii students.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Authorizes the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to use moneys in the University of Hawaii tuition and fees special fund to provide student aid in direct response to an emergency or a disaster, as declared by the Governor; and

(2) Requires the University of Hawaii to submit a report to the Legislature following the use of moneys in the University of Hawaii tuition and fees special fund to provide student aid.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii System and University of Hawaii Student Caucus.

Your Committee finds that while each campus of the University of Hawaii has institutional funds available for students facing emergencies and crises, the use of these funds is noted on the recipient student's account and could lead to the reduction or reversal of previously awarded scholarships or other financial aid. Your Committee further finds that because the United States Department of Education would recognize the use of University of Hawaii tuition and fees special fund moneys as state aid, its use would not be classified as financial assistance and therefore would not affect a student's financial aid package.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

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 H.B. No. 1171, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1171, H.D. 2, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair