STAND. COM. REP. NO.  623-18

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2018

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2165

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2165 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROMISE PROGRAM,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to improve students' access to higher education at the University of Hawaii by:

 

     (1)  Establishing the Hawaii Promise Program to provide scholarships for the unmet direct cost needs of qualified students enrolled at any campus of the University of Hawaii system, including community colleges; and

 

     (2)  Appropriating funds for the Program.

 

     The University of Hawaii, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, Americans for Democratic Action, Kamehameha Schools, and three concerned individuals supported the measure.  The Department of Education supported the intent of the measure.


     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Removing provisions relating to scholarship probation, revocation, and repayment for students who fail to maintain eligibility for a scholarship;

 

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2112, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     Your Committee recognizes the importance of a pathway for students with financial need to transition from the community colleges to four-year campuses of the University of Hawaii, where costs can be substantially higher.  Your Committee respectfully requests that your Committee on Finance, should it hear this measure, consider appropriating $2,000,000 for the Hawaii Promise Program.

 

     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 H.B. No. 2165, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2165, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair