STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1777

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 961

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. 961, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish, and appropriate moneys for, a two-year pilot program for certified librarians to provide rotating support services to schools in one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island, to be determined by the Department of Education.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Public Library System, Hawaii Library Association, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that there is a severe shortage of certified librarians in public schools throughout the State, impacting student learning. Your Committee further finds that librarians rotating between schools in a school complex area may help to ensure students continue receiving support services.

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. 961, 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