STAND. COM. REP. NO. 757

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 1234

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 H.B. No. 1234 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WATER SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Education to establish a standards-based Water Safety Education Pilot Program; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the establishment of the standards-based Water Safety Education Pilot Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Parks and Recreation of the County of Hawaiʻi; Waikiki Neighborhood Board; Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition; Hawaiian Lifeguard Association; Hawaii Water Safety Coalition; Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation; Alex & Duke De Rego Foundation; and nine individuals. Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged one to fifteen in Hawaii and disproportionately affects the cause of death for individuals under the age of twenty-five. This preventable tragedy represents a significant public health concern and underscores the urgent need for action to address water safety in the State.

Your Committee further finds that evidence-based approaches demonstrate that drowning is preventable. This measure establishes a standards-based Water Safety Education Pilot Program within the Department of Education as a first step to expanding access to swimming lessons and water safety education that will protect Hawaii's youth and reduce drowning incidents statewide.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

(2) 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 Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1234, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1234, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair