STAND. COM. REP. NO. 798

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1969

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1969, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TUITION ASSISTANCE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to broaden the scope of the tuition assistance provided to Hawaii national guard members attending the University of Hawaii.

 

     Specifically, this measure allows any member, including commissioned and general officers, who is a student (including graduate studies) to qualify for tuition assistance if they are working toward a degree.  The measure also appropriates funds for the increased tuition assistance.

 

     Your Committee received comments in support of the measure from the Hawaii National Guard Enlisted Association, the Hawaii National Guard Association, and the National Guard Association of Hawaii Insurance Trust.  The Department of Defense submitted comments.

 

     Your Committee finds that this measure demonstrates the State's commitment and gratitude to national guard members who have bravely served our country.  The tuition assistance provided under this measure will also serve as an incentive for recruitment purposes and improve the retention rate for enlisted national guard members.

 

     Your Committee has amended the measure by changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount to facilitate further discussion on this matter.

 

     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 S.B. No. 1969, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1969, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair