STAND. COM. REP. NO. 521

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1489

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 Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1489 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESIDENT TUITION FEE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to simplify the residency determination for the State's high school graduates to enroll in post-secondary education and training at the University of Hawaii by considering graduates of the State's high schools to be residents for tuition purposes under certain conditions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, University of Hawaiʻi System, and University of Hawaiʻi Student Caucus.

Your Committee finds that increased enrollment in post‑secondary education will benefit the State, as it will provide individuals with a wider range of career options and personal development, ultimately contributing to greater economic stability. However, existing law regarding residency for tuition purposes poses challenges for some local graduating high school seniors or recent graduates, specifically students experiencing homelessness or with complex family situations. This measure will improve post-secondary enrollment in the State by simplifying the residency determination for the State's high school graduates, allowing them to benefit from resident tuition fees.

Your Committee notes that if this measure is enacted, it is practicable for the University of Hawaii to amend its administrative rules in accordance with its provisions. Your Committee requests that the University of Hawaii amend its administrative rules governing residency determination for prospective students even if this measure is not enacted, for the purpose of increasing enrollment in post-secondary education in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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 S.B. No. 1489, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1489, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair