STAND. COM. REP. NO. 149

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 549

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. 549 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program, to be administered by the University of Hawaii, to assist publicly- or privately‑run early learning program service providers participating in state- and federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; University of Hawaiʻi System; Department of Human Services; Early Learning Board; Executive Office on Early Learning; Department of Community Services of the City and County of Honolulu; Hawaiʻi Early Childhood Educator Excellence and Equity Project; Puakalehua Early Learning Consortium; Keiki O Ka Aina Family Learning Centers; American Association of University Women of Hawaii; Early Childhood Action Strategy; Keiki o Ka Aina Preschool, Inc.; Parents and Children Together; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that the establishment of an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program will provide opportunities to support the recruitment, retention, and professional development of early learning professionals in a career field that has been experiencing a continuous shortage of qualified caregivers and staff for early learning programs.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the preamble to declare that the establishment of an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program is a matter of statewide concern;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) 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. 549, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 549, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness.

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

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair