STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1441
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: S.B. No. 819
S.D. 2
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 Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 819, S.D. 2, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Hawaiʻi Friends of Civil Rights; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board.
Your Committee finds that the BridgeUSA J-1 visa program, administered by the United States Department of State, offers foreign teachers an opportunity to teach in accredited schools in the United States that service students in grades kindergarten through twelve. The J-1 visa program has been of great success since its implementation, especially in bringing educators from the Philippines to Hawaii, with international teachers serving in fifty-five public schools statewide. However, the State's existing licensing rules hinder the full potential of prospective teachers for the J-1 visa program. This measure will recognize the qualifications and experience of international educators, while ensuring equitable compensation, and fully leverage the skills, knowledge, and experience of international educators.
Your Committee further finds that the companion to this measure, H.B. No. 439, H.D. 1 (Regular Session of 2025) was previously passed by this Committee.
Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting the contents of H.B. 439, H.D. 1, a measure that:
(1) Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to establish an international teacher license for certain visa holders and the requirements to obtain the international teacher license;
(2) Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the 2026 Regular Session on how to support international teachers teaching in the State through the J-1 visa program; and
(3) Takes effect on July 1, 3000.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 819, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 819, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,
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____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair |