STAND. COM. REP. NO. 638

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 243

       S.D. 2

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 243, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE WESTERN INTERSTATE COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the Hawaii Western Interstate Commission for Education and allow the Hawaii Commission to establish a repayment policy for students who receive financial support from funds appropriated for the professional student exchange program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

     Furthermore, this measure establishes a special fund for the professional student exchange program.

     Your Committee received comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Commissioners of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

     Your Committee received comments in opposition to this measure from Kalbert K. Young, Director, Department of Budget and Finance.

     Your Committee finds that this measure would improve the return rates of Hawaii residents who receive state support through the professional student exchange program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.  The return of these students to the State is very important to the economic and social health and well being of our State.  This measure authorizes the Hawaii Commission to develop a repayment policy for students who do not return to the State after receiving assistance under the program.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, in order to facilitate continued discussion on the matter; and

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

     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. 243, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 243, S.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair