STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1073

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 901

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 901, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize public charter schools to appeal directly to the Board of Education on matters that materially affect the school's operation, governance, or funding.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General; Board of Education; and State Public Charter School Commission.

Your Committee finds that public charter schools are key components of Hawaii's education system, offering diverse learning opportunities for students. However, charter schools currently have restricted options for addressing disputes that impact their governance, funding, or daily operations. This measure enhances their ability to seek fair resolution by permitting direct appeals to the Board of Education on significant matters affecting their functioning.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying the grounds for an appeal of non-renewal or revocation of a charter contract;

(2) Clarifying the process for public charter schools to appeal directly to the Board of Education on matters that materially affect the school's operation, governance, or funding; 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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 901, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 901, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair