STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1472

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 429

H.D. 1

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. 429, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to hire teachers and teacher assistants to staff public preschools, and for the purchase of equipment and services for public preschools.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Department of Education, Department of Human Services, Executive Office on Early Learning, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission, Hana High and Elementary School, Hauula Elementary School, Kaala Elementary School, Lanai High and Elementary School, Maunaloa Elementary School, Sunset Beach Elementary School, Early Learning Board, Hawaii Business Roundtable, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, Hawaii Government Employees Association, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Kamehameha Schools, Special Education Advisory Council, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that public preschools statewide are experiencing significant staffing shortages, especially for teachers and teacher assistants, and lack sufficient equipment and services to provide a rich environment for Hawaii's young children to learn. Your Committee further finds that appropriating moneys to hire teachers and teacher assistants and to purchase equipment and services for public preschools will help address these challenges and improve student learning outcomes.

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. 429, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, 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