House Standing Committee on Education

With the chair and vice chair and what I was told would not be considered or the limited scope of the purview of this Committee. I had intended to testify as the Office of the Public Defender does on certain problematic aspects that we see of the measure legally.

But based on the feedback and the direction of the chair, I have been told that that will not be considered by this Committee. So therefore, I have been encouraged to stand on my written testimony, so I will do so.

Thank you so much for being here. Again, this is the Committee on Education. We have a legal scope in which we are considering policy prescriptions. And so this Committee is looking at these policies based upon that scope, not, surely not strictly on legal matters. Going on to the next.

We have Hawaii Association of Independent Schools offering testimony and support in person.

Aloha, Chair Woodson. Vice chair, La Chica Members of the Committee, my name is Deanna D'Olier. I am here as the Executive Director of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. And I stand on my testimony in strong support of HB 2185.

Thank you for being here. Thank you. Next, we have HSTA offering testimony support in person. Thank you. We have HTEA offering testimony in support. We have Kaneohe Elementary School principal offering testimony and support. Mauna Loa High School offering testimony and support. Athletic Director. We have Hawaii High School Athletic association offering testimony and support.

We have Hawaii State Basketball Officials association and support. And we have several individuals all offering testimony and support. Anyone else wishing to provide testimony on HB2185? C9 Members, are there any questions?

I had a question, Chair, but it was for the public defender. And I do just want to put. Just put on the record that I understand the purview of this Committee, but we do need an opportunity to ask questions about the legality of the bills because it is going to go further.

So I understand, I respect your decision as a chair, but I'm just going to voice my. My opposition to your sentiments. Just for the record.

Thank you for your words. Any other questions? Comments? Okay, going to the next Bill. We have HB 2621 with regards to student misconduct. First up, we have. Department of Education offering comments.

Good afternoon, Chair Woodson. Vice Chair La Chica. Members of the Committee, I'm Heidi Armstrong from the Department of Education and the Department stands on its written testimony offering comments.

That's all we have on our list. Is there anyone else? HB2621. See none. Members are there any questions? Please go ahead.

For the Department. Thank you so much for your testimony. And for being amenable, I think to take elements of this measure into what you already do in your annual report. Can you explain a little bit more about when you mentioned that this information is housed within the department's electronic student information. Is that infinite campus? Yes.

And that's not public.

Correct. Okay. But we can for the additional components we do want to be as transparent as we can while still protecting student privacy. And we do agree that some of those components would be valuable information to include in our annual report and we specified which ones in our testimony.

I appreciate that and I do appreciate the breakdown. Can you share if there has been an uptick in on campus violence in the last couple of years because that data is not public. It's hard to be able to tell by campus. We just get phone calls where we see it on the news.

Right. We have. There's not an uptick in suspensions. There's an up. There's for assault and fighting. We do have for the disciplinary. In our report for the disciplinary measure more in school suspensions than you know that that is on the uptick.

But we do have the data on individual school schools which is not included in our annual report. But we do have that data.

So if you're. I understand what you're saying but if you don't have the. I guess the question is how are you how do you know it's consistent information if it's just housed within the on campus private information that's held by school. Right. It's not. There's no consistent form of noting what happens.

You say there's an uptick in assaults and violence on campus, but there's not an uptick in suspension. So.

Maybe I misspoke. There's. We're not seeing an up in increase from 23-24 in the. What I have in front of me is the suspension. So typically it is more consequential disciplinary measure. So for example, in 23-24 for assault and fighting and I'll just talk about out of school suspensions for the sake of time.

There were 3,051 school year 24-25. 2,864 and then switch school year 25-26. 1,800. So it doesn't appear to be. And we're not at the end of the school year so they don't appear to be increasing and. But that's not reflective of the. I guess I'll leave it. Those are the suspension data that we have.

But internally we do have all of that information in front of us. And so it's not waiting until the end of the year to look at individual schools. So we have that internally. It's just our annual report comes out at the end of the year and it doesn't have the details that you've mentioned.

But we don't think that because we have the information and we do want to be transparent, we think we would be agreeable to putting in what we shared in our testimony to give public.

Information and then publicly allowing it's not.

Access to the system because that has student identifiable information.

I think the reality is that there's a way to ensure that we know what's happening on campuses.

And if there is on campus violence, where that on campus violence is happening, is it specific schools, is it specific regions and how that allows legislators to be able to make better legislation or potentially insert more support to certain areas and certain schools. For example, not every campus has an, an on campus or community police officer.

And I think that that's an issue. But we don't know what that data looks like because we don't have it in front of us. And because it's just kept at the school level, there's no way for us to know if it's consistent, if they are tracking the same things, how they're tracking that information.

And I think that's the problem. So if the Department is willing to put that on their to make a consistent matter of tracking that allows legislators to be able to see that information and the public to be able to see that information, I think that would be very helpful.

So you're talking about maybe an online or a dashboard.

It would be great to see a dashboard because I think there are a lot of correlations that can happen in those spaces. Chair and if I may, one more.

Please go ahead.

I put this measure forward because about a week ago my sister was hospitalized after being beaten on campus at a middle school campus. We are consistently seeing on social media student violence, student bullying on campus violence, and it's not just after school.

And I think until we have real data on what's happening on our campuses, we can't even give principles or, or administrators or school support staff the support that they need in order to protect our students on campus. And that's where this is coming from. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Thank you. Representative Members, any other questions? I have a quick question for Dewey. Your testimony indicates that you would prefer the terms that are in Chapter 9 E2 HAR. Is there some difference between the terms that are used in this bill and that?

Well, we have so There were some recommended terms and so we did a term by term comparison and when we did so, what we use is offender for what the recommendation was facilitator. We used the word witness for a passive bystand and the alternate. So we did a comparison. We're very comfortable with the definitions that we have.

It's. And I think we're still able to glean all of the information that is needed by using those definitions.

Thank you so much Members. Any other questions?

Quick follow up question.

Please go ahead.

When an incident, the documented data are only for incidents that happen on campus.

If there is an incident that happens off campus that causes disruption on campus or has after effects on campus, then we do work with that incident.

So for example, I think more than a year ago there was a fight that had transpired on the field just off the parking lot in the Mililani Middle School campus that involved family Members. Would that have been included in the annual report?

I would need all of the details before I would be able to answer that. Thank you.

Thank you Members. Any other questions? See now we're going to go to the next Bill. We have HB2179. This is with regards to DOE and ES. First we have DOE offering comments in person. HB2179.

Good afternoon again. I'm Heidi Armstrong and the Department stands on its written testimony which provides comments on this measure.

Thank you so much. Next we have Department of Health providing testimony and support.

Good afternoon. Chair, vice chair, Committee Members, Garrett Hall, Chief of Emergency Medical Services, Injury Prevention for the State Department of Health. We stand on our written testimony as submitted. I'm here if you have any questions.

Thank you so much. Next we have Hawaii Bicycling League offering testimony and support.

Hello Chair, vice Chair, Members of the Committee, my name is Eduardo Hernandez. On behalf of the Hawaii Bicycling League. I stand on my written testimony and happy to answer any questions if you have. Thank you. Thank you so much.

The Ohana Unity Party and Kingdom of Hawaii island offering testimony and support via Zoom. Present. And we have two individuals offering testimony both in support. Anyone else? HB2179 seeing non Members. Are there any questions? Okay. See now we're going to go on to the next Bill which is HB 2534.

This is regarding robotics in schools and incorporating it as interscholastic sport. First we have DOE offering comments.

Good afternoon. The Department stands on its testimony offering comments. Thank you.

Thank you for being here. Next we have Charter School Commission operating testimony support in person.

Good Afternoon Chair and Vice Chair, PJ4 and Members of the Committee. Sorry, PJ4. On behalf of Dr. Edmo and the Charter School Commission, we stand on our submitted testimony in support of HB 2534.

Thank you so much for being here. Next we have Kalani High School Robotics team offering testimony and support via Zoom. Katie Ta.

Oh, President. Sorry, can you hear me?

Okay? Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair and Members of the Committee. My name is Katie Ta and I'm a junior at Colony High School and a captain of our robotics team representing District 4. Our team is known in the community for supporting STEM opportunities for younger students across Hawai'. I.

But none of this would be possible without significant effort to secure funding through fundraising. Not all teams have this pre established foundation of experienced students and mentors. Especially since our mentors are often unpaid and overworked. This creates real barriers for students who want to participate but lack support. We're actively losing teams across the state.

From roughly 200 first Lego League teams from under Governor Linda Lingo, who designated military robotics, to roughly 50 now in the present day, our state used to host international robotics tournaments that would have over 100 teams participate. Robotics is a huge commitment. Students dedicate countless hours after school and on the weekends to robotics.

Through this we gain lifelong skills in engineering, problem solving, communication, leadership and teamwork that prepares for Hawaii, STEM workforce and beyond. Yet many students across the state still do not have access to a program like this because mentors are unavailable, unpaid and unrecognized, and because programs do not always have the money to sustain themselves.

HB 2534 helps address these disparities by providing essential funding and recognizing robotics as a supportive, sustainable opportunity for all students in Hawaii. By investing in stem, you are investing in future leaders and the workforce of our islands. I respectfully urge you pass HB2584 and say yes to the stem, yes to Hawaii's youth, and yes to our future.

Thank you.

Thank you so much for your testimony. Next we have sabre dynamics. Mr. Tam offering testimony and support via Zoom.

Present. Aloha Woodson and Members of the EDM Committee for having me. My name is Joshua Tom. I am a junior, a part of James Campbell High School's Saber Dynamics Robotics Team, Team 8871. James Campbell has had a team consist since 2007 and we have seen the brunt effects of this establishment due to insufficient funding.

Here at James Campbell, we are testifying in support of HB2534 as it establishes robotics as A sport here in the state of Hawaii Robotics is Hawaii. Robotics is fantastic. Facing an epidemic, we are losing teams at a rapid rate. According to the knowledge that Saber Dynamics has procured.

We have known several teams from elementary to high school who have lost within recent years. As of currently, McKinley High School is on a hiatus due to and is needing additional support Kamehameha High School, Aiea High School and currently Nanakuli.

Kamehameha High School and Aiea High School are gone and have a lack team and Nanakuli High School is on face it's facing extinction without new mentorship. We see it fit that this Bill be implemented as we want to grow our industries here in Hawaii.

As mentioned in our written testimony, we hope the Committee understands the brain drain big mistake and how these programs help fight for education and fight for it young. We take into account some concerns brought surrounding the bill and plan on addressing them very briefly today.

Our first recognition is the variation of robotics competitions and their uniformity compared to other sports. In addressing this concern, we would like to bring up the Texas University Interscholastic League which recognizes two programs, the Best and First Robotics programs.

As stated with the UIL, the they have accommodated both programs which means that they have held a variety of competitions throughout the entire year. We note that Hawaii's largest programs, DEX and FIRST Robotics are. We know that Hawaii does have these two large programs.

Basing it off of the UIL's model, we know for certain it is possible to implement these programs along varying degrees. Play the DOE prioritizes standardized testing under topics such as math and science categories. Revive targets for students who are unable to physically apply themselves to certain sports. Why?

What else does the DOE provide for students to be competitive? Why should students who face disabilities be disenfranchised from the competitive opportunities on the same level, as you know, the football team. In recognition of concerns regarding appropriations, we wanted to address the issues surrounding the DOE backing.

While many teams, especially startup and developing teams, do need support with material costs, we wanted to recognize our colleague teams. A majority of teams are able to source funding for competitive fees and equipment through sponsorships, grants and other competitive types of funding.

And while many other sports teams rely on scholastic funds for these resources, this bill is meant to target our largest concerns which are the coaches. Mentorship is very difficult while Robotics is still classified as an after school program, especially on the high school levels where clubs receive zero funding for the teachers.

Unpaid labor is not what Hawaii stands for. And yet we continue to work our teachers and our kupuna to the bone and take advantage of the dedication to education. Classification as a sport will continue to sustain teams in the state.

The current teachers will be able to gain a wage for the 34 and five hours that they they commit every single day to their students. It will incentivize schools without teams who or have lost teams. Teachers are very reluctant to dedicate this amount of time and work for free.

And as any reasonable person should be, classification as a sport will help provide starting teams the resources and materials needed. However, it will also continue to grow one of the largest industries in the world here in the state of Hawaii and bring opportunities to Keiki but never know what they are capable of.

We continue to classify Hawaii's education as a leader in the nation. However, as we continue to let our teens die, we are failing our kp. We are failing our students here in Hawaii. As we have learned, once a student is disenfranchised with education, they never gain the knowledge, experience or passion for the craft.

We have neglected our STEM sector, one of the largest growing industries in the world. If you want Hawaii to be a leader in education, economics industries and business and steam, we must fund the education for our KP by any means necessary. Thank you and mahalo for your time.

Thank you for your testimony. Next we have Ohana Unity Party King of the Hawaii Islands. Testimony and support. Not present. Not present. We have Reese Shakia Ar testimony support via Zoom. Not present. Thank you. We have several individuals offering testimony all in support. We have two pages of testimony on support all individuals.

Anyone else wishing to provide testimony on HB2534 seeing none Members. Are there any questions? Quick question for DOE.

Yes. Yes.

Please go ahead. Please state your name and your affiliate.

My name is Janelle Lee and then I'm here with you guys. Can see. Hi young Martin.

All right, thank you. Go ahead.

Aloha. We'll be representing Team 359. Wailua Robotics. Since the first Robotics program was established at Waialua high school in 1999, the state has embraced robotics technology as both an educational and a competitive platform.

Robotics is not just like any after school activity out there. It provides life skills for students across all the world. Robotics offers an intense competitive environment for everyone. Participating with teamwork and intellectual abilities in an inclusive accessible sport. Everyone can compete and go pro. Finding careers like our alumni in engineering, medical fields, education and vocations.

Like a mechanic, machinist and airline pilot. Robotics has provided me as well as many other students with an educational experience I would never have received in class. It has Allowed me to communicate with my peers as you would in a sport team.

As I learned how to use machinery and connect people around the world and our common interests. If robotics become a sport, this experience could become more accessible to students all across Hawaii.

By supporting robotics programs, the state can ensure that Hawaiis youth will receive access to stable career paths while simultaneously stimulating economic growth. Funding can be used to keep talented individuals on our island and further educational innovation through stem. Thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of KI across the state. Our team and innovators.

Thank you for your testimony. Anyone else? HB2534 robotics. Seeing that Members. Are there any questions? A question for doe. If this is an interest intergalactic support. Is there going to be dedicated funding to go towards our public schools for their programs?

We would need funding. We would need additional funding.

But you would discriminate disseminated to the.

Schools if there was additional funding. Thank you so much.

What is the current criteria that the Department determines for like a. Not like a. I guess an ex competitive activity to identified as an endoscopolastic sport.

So if I think there's two parts from what I'm hearing robotics and then. And funding for robotics and then robotics and should it be an interscholastic sport? If I'm understanding your question. If it were an interscholastic sport, the individual leagues would have to approach.

The Hawaii High School Athletic association would have to approve and then funding would need to be provided to sustain that program. We're also looking at. And more research is needed on here. But typically in the interscholastic sports there's three week period. Three three week periods throughout the year. No contact nobility, no constructing, you know, would be allowed.

Everything has to stop. So we need to do more research. Does that still apply and how would that impact competitions? We'd also have to look at how does. How do national and international competitions fit in with the interscholastic framework. So that's one decision. Another. The Department is so proud of all the kids who do phenomenal.

I mean they'll blow you away. Phenomenal things in robotics. And we Fund with what we have from within. The testimony is correct. Grants do need to be, you know, grants, donations, etc. But it is a very important, important and valuable program for our students. And we're committed to supporting it.

Money is always what allows programs to grow or programs to have a reach out to other sources.

Last year we identified passed legislation to identify surfing as an interscholastic sport. Do you recall if for that process. The leagues had to approve it first before the funding came. And do you know how long we worked on that.

The process? I know we talked about it for a couple years, yeah.

Okay.

So there could be some similar kind of pathway should we find the resources that could enable something to happen. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Members, any other questions? See none going into the next bill. HB2427. This is with regards to. Excuse me, we're going to go to HB 2168. This is with regards to students and homelessness. First up, we have. AG's office offering comments.

Chair Woodson Vice Chair La Chica Members of the Committee. Deputy Attorney General, Randall Watt, Department of the Attorney General the Department has comments on this bill.

ThebBill seeks to adopt the definition for homelessness under the McKinney Vento act and as it stands, it just refers to it without expressly putting the language of the definition of homelessness in there.

Looking at the McKinney Vento act, it does have a definition for homeless children and youths that the Department recommends be added expressly to the bill for clarity purposes.

In addition, the wording of the bill in section subsection A1 of the proposed section 302A B on page 4, line 7 to 11 provides that any unaccompanied homeless youth shall be entitled to media enrollment in the school regardless of the availability of documentation.

This broad wording of documentation could be interpreted to include lack of documentation of immunization records and that could conflict with Hawaii rice statutes section 302a 1154A. So the Department recommends that if the intent of the Legislature is to. Create.

An exemption or otherwise account for students who do not have the immunization records on hand to amend public either HRS 302A1154 or including exemption under 302A 1156 thank you. Available for questions. Thank you so much.

Next we have testimony from the statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions offering testimony support. We have individual testimony from Judith Clark.

Via Zoom In Support Aloha Chair Members of the Committee, I'm Judith Clark, a community advocate, the former Executive Director of Hawaii Youth Services Network and a person with lived experience of youth homelessness. I strongly support this bill. Homeless students experience many challenges and barriers in obtaining educational services.

The supports and services mandated by the federal McKinney Vento act and implemented by the Department of Education enable many homeless students to participate in school. This bill will ensure that these critically needed services will continue even if federal policy and funding ends. This bill will provide a safety net for our most vulnerable children and youth.

Thank you for this opportunity to testify.

Thank you for your testimony and apologies. I have testimony from the DOE offering.

Testimony and support and yes, we've provided our testimony and we've provided some comments to thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else on HB2 62168 CNAM Members, are there any questions? Question for the AG.

Yes Representative.

In your testimony you had noted the documentation requirements for enrollment, specifically the immunization records, correct? So under the point of this bill this is my bill was to put into state statutes the Federal Law in the event that the federal law was repealed, given the circumstances we were living in under the current Administration. But according.

To the federal law, so 42 United States Code Statute 11432. This is the U.S. Department of Education's guidance interpreting that section.

So students experiencing homelessness have the right to enroll in school immediately, even if they are missing paperwork that is normally required for enrollment, such as birth certificate, proof of residency, previous school records, or immunization of other medical records. So under this US Code. It is.

Designed to federal policy to remove barriers to enrollment, policies to remove barriers caused by missing records and requirements that homeless youth be enrolled and have equal opportunities to succeed.

Given the current language of the McKinney Valento act and what's currently happening in the DOE, do you still feel like we need to add language into this, into this Bill that talks about some of the things that you were talking about in terms of changing statutes or putting in provisions?

Well, yes, to mine the Bill in terms of like.

Well, to avoid potential conflict with the other statute that expressly discusses immunization records that our recommendation that there be an amendment to 302A, 1154 or 1156 does stand as far as the overall effect of the federal law, as you mentioned, my understanding is that the intent is that should those protections not be there, that the state law codifies or has equal protections for homeless children.

So by doing so with the state law, as is that particular statute regarding immunizations does require amendments.

So the recommendation is more so if we did have to institute this because the federal law was repealed, this would help kind of Covid the basis a little bit better for us as the state station. Good care. Okay, thank you.

Thank you, Members. Any other questions? Okay, going on to the next bill. HB 2427, UN unaccompanied youth and the DOE. First we have DOE provided commas and versa.

Yes. Hi. Thank you. The Department stands on its written testimony providing comments on this measure.

Thank you for being here. Next, we have testimony from the AG's office offering comments via Zoom or in person.

Members of Committee. I would say my testimony echoes that from before. To clarify, my earlier testimony is actually about HB 2427, which offers to adopt the definition of homelessness under the McKinney Bento Act. HB 2168 does not. So just to clarify that.

So my previous testimony regarding the express definition of homeless children, Youths incorporated applies to HB2467, not to HB2160. Thank you. I'm available for questions. Thank you. So Much.

Next we have testimony from Judith Card.

Aloha Chair, Members of the Committee. I'm Judith Clark, a community advocate and a longtime worker with runaway and homeless youth. Unaccompanied minors are young people who are living on the streets without support or guidance from their parents. They are without doubt the most vulnerable and least recognized segment of our homeless population.

And schools provide a safe place where they can go and learn, meet with their peers, get guidance from trusted adults. It is critical that they be allowed to enroll in school, participate in activities and obtain transportation and service. Transportation, meals and supplies that are essential if they are to participate.

This bill will provide a safety net for our most vulnerable homeless children. Thank you for this opportunity to testify.

Thank you for your testimony. We also have testimony from two individuals, both offering testimony support. Is there anyone else? HB2427. Any. None. Members, are there any questions?

Question, Chair.

Please go ahead.

Question for the Office of Attorney General. Thank you. So in the Department of Education's testimony, they refer to a few HRS. Things that could potentially expose the Department. More specifically, HRS 571.31, the mandated reporting.

Would you be able to elaborate a little bit on the requirements of that in terms of them having to shall or may being in that language as.

Far as under HRS 571.31. My understanding is that the language is permissive. That it is may, not shall. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other questions? Okay. See? None. We're going to move on to the next Bill, which is HB 2560. This is with regards to homelessness, Department of Education and financial assistance. First up we have is DOE offering testimony in person, offering comments.

Please stand on our testimony offering comments.

Thank you so much. Next we have testimony from DHS via offering comments.

Good afternoon, Chair Woodson, Vice Chair La Chica and Members of the Committee. My name is Catherine Scardino . I'm the TANF Program Administrator here for DHS Director Ryan Yamani. We stand on our written testimony offering comments.

Thank you for being here. We have Judith Clark via Zoom and Support.

Good afternoon again, chairs, Vice chair, Members of the Committee. I'm Judith Clark, community advocate. My only concern about this Bill is that it does not address the needs of unaccompanied students who are not living with their parents or guardians to provide consent for services or to make the application.

And I am hoping that the Bill can be amended so that the unaccompanied minors who are homeless can also benefit from these services. Thank you for this opportunity to testify.

Thank you for your testimony. Next we also have testimony from the statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions offering comments and one individual offering testimony support. Anyone else? HB2560 seeing Members. Are there any questions? See. Now we're going to move on to the next Bill which is HB2565.

This is with regards to providing a monetary award for Education Week and educators. First we have is Department of Education and support in person.

Good afternoon Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the Committee, Sean Bacon. On behalf of the Department of Education. We stand on our written testimony in support and are available for any comments. Thank you so much.

Next we have charter school commission offering comments in person.

Hello Chair and Vice Chair Members of the Committee PJ Foehr on behalf of EDNO and the charter commission. The commission humbly we stand on our support of this measure. Also the intent of this measure and obviously any efforts to attract high quality educators here to Hawaii is something that we are definitely in support of.

We do humbly request that Committee consider amending this measure by including public charter school teachers.

Thank you for your testimony. Next we have testimony from HST offering testimony support in person. Please stand and support and tle the. Request of the terms. Thank you for being here. We have two individuals offering testimony, one in support when in opposition. Anyone else? HB 2565. Okay. See nine Members. Are there any questions?

Seeing that we're going to go on to the next Bill which is HB2172 employment retired teachers. First we have offering testimony offering comments in person.

Good afternoon Chair, Vice chair, Members of the Committee, Sean Bacon. We stand in our written testimony offering comments. Thank you. Thank you for being here.

Next we have ERS offering comments in person.

Thank you Mr. Chair, Madam Vice Chair. Members, you have the testimony from the Employee Retirement System. This Bill has not been reviewed by the board of Trustees so the system doesn't take an official position. But there's Administration is offering some comments and a recommendation in the Bill not without without any objections to the Bill itself.

The recommendation is if you should consider an amendment in the Bill, page five, line four, which is related to the break in service provision currently in the Bill proposed at six months. The recommendation would be you should consider 12 months because that would make it consistent with other pre existing sections in the existing statute.

And then there are a number of components that are already in the Bill that the ERS thinks should as this Bill progresses that you should keep them in mind as they are critical, critically necessary and valuable for sustainability of the pension system. Thank you.

Thank you for your Testimony Next we have HGA operating comments. We have HSTA incident support in person. It just stands in support. Thank you. And we have testimony from two individuals both in support. Anyone else? HB2172. Members. Any questions? Okay, so now we're going to go on to the next Bill. HB2298.

This is with regards to high school diplomas and vets. First we have DOE operating testimony support.

Person Vice Chair Members of the Committee.

He's AI superintendent. Testify on behalf of on behalf of the Department of Education Department stands on testimony support of this measure. Thank you. Thank you for being here.

Next we have the Office of Veter Service offering testimony support. We have two individuals both offering testimony and support. Anyone else? HB2298 seeing none Members, are there any questions? Seeing none. Going to the last build to date, HB 2304. This is with regards to privacy tools and conditional gifts, not contracts.

First up, we have the Office of the Governor offering testimony support. We have Hawaii association of Independent Schools offering disciplinary support in person.

Aloha again. Chair Woodson, Vice Chair LA Members of the Committee again. My name is Dana D'Olier. I am the Executive Director of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. We represent just over 100 independent schools across all of our Hawaiian islands and we stand in strong support of HB 2304.

This bill is fundamentally about protecting the spirit of a gift. I want to clarify that the donor funded scholarships, grants and tuition free educational programs should be considered charitable education gifts, not commercial contracts for families. This ensures that scholarships ensure pathways and that access remains open to students.

For schools, it supports stability and continuity and financial aid programs. When scholarships and tuition free pathways are secure, our community benefits. It allows families to access education that's best suited for their children and students.

So with all of that said, I respectfully urge the Committee to pass HB 2304 incorporating the amendments that are proposed by comm schools, which I'm sure you'll hear shortly. Thank you.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for your testimony. Next we have Commandment of Schools offering testimony and support in person.

My name is Kehau Abad. I'm the Vice President of Uluhiba, our strategy and experience group for. I'm here testifying on behalf of our CEO Jack Wong and our Board of Trustees. I'm hoping to take a moment to just share a few highlights. We submitted of course written testimony along with some offered amendments for consideration.

First, we want to mahalo Governor Green and his Administration for their leadership in introducing this bill. We also want to acknowledge a circle of schools, organizations and individuals who we stand among in support of this bill.

The bill empowers schools and donors to define our relationships and interactions with our Hamama and Ohamma in ways that are authentic to our values, who we are and we always have been. For commitment schools. This measure allows us to maintain our peace with our Haumana and our Ohana as our founder Kealii Pawahi had intended.

Our proposed amendments seek to clarity. To provide clarity and to strengthen the bill, we've included a Red line draft in our testimony. We worked on these amendments in collaboration with Hawaii association of Independent Schools and we have shared them with the AG as well.

The suggested amendments are primarily on page three of the bill and they aim to achieve two main objectives. First, we propose using the simple phrase conditional gift in place of donor conditioned educational awards Conditional gift. This change clarifies that both school conditioned and donor conditioned gifts are covered by the bill.

Second, on lines 12 to 13 of page 3, the amendment provides schools with an opt out option allowing those that wish to engage in contractual relationships to do so. The remaining amendments implement the changes consistently throughout the bill. Closing we respectfully urge the Committee to pass bill with amendments for taking this into consideration.

Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for being here. Next we have testimony from the Hawaii Hawaiian Council in person K le.

Hi. Aloha Madeline McCaig on behalf of our CEO K le standing in strong support on our written testimony making sure that all of the education provided to our. Hana are known as gifts to them.

Thank you so much. Pardon me we have testimony from the Office of Hawaiian affairs offering testimony support.

We have testimony from the association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs in support we have Koni O Kaku H in support in person we get this money from Koolaua Hawaiian Civic Club in support Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation offering comments Hawaii school for girls La Pietra and support St. Louis pools and support Wanoa Garden Foundations offering disability support Hawaii Community foundation offering disability.

Support. Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club in support and we have several individuals offering Testimony support about 10 with one individual offering testimony. Anyone else wish to provide testimony for HB2304 seeing none Members? Are there any questions? Seeing none recession.

Thank you everybody for being here.

We have decision making for many bills esp. 2185. This is with regards to supports official and legal protection. We're going to accept to and KG's amendments and besides that setting the effective date to July 1st, 3000 questions comments or Concerns seeing none Vice Chair please.

Members voting on House Bill 2185 Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendment's. [Roll Chair] Chair recommendation is adopted.

Thank you. Members going on to HB 2621. This is with regards to student misconduct. The conversations we're going to pass this is the HD1. We're going to comport the definitions in Section 2 with existing definitions in terms in Chapter 19 of the admin roles. We're going to remove lines 8 and 9 regarding the Department adopting rules.

Scandals are already established and we're going to defect the date to July 1st, 3000 questions Comments concerns Vice Chair for the vote, please.

Voting on House Bill 2621 Chair's recommendation is to pass through the amendment. Chair and Vice Chair Vote Aye. Noting all Members present are Is there anyone wishing to vote no? Any Member wishing to vote with reservations? Reservations for Representative Moraoka. Chair your recommendation's adopted.

Thank you Members Moving on to HB2179 I was going to defer this but I think I want to talk to the author first but there is this information is being provided by the Hawaii Bicycle but for now we'll we'll pass it with the effective date of July 1, 2000.

Give her a chance to see if we would have moved still. HT1

We are voting on House Bill 2179. The Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendment. Chair and Vice Chair vote Aye. Noting the presence of all Members for the rest of the agenda. Any Members wishing to vote with reservation Any Members wishing to vote no Chair.

Your recommendation thank you Members Moving on to the next Bill HB 2534 robotics and as an interscholastic sport. Recommendations to Pass this with HD1 de facto date July 1st 3000 questions Comments concerns Vice Chair for the vote please.

We are voting on House Bill 2534. Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair vote Aye. Any Members wishing to vote no? Any Members wishing to vote with reservation? Chair your.

Recommendation is about thank you Members going on to the next bill HB2168 this is with regards to students experiencing homelessness. Members per DOE testimony we're going to start off with page two, lines 17 through 20. We're going to change the district coordinator to a state coordinator. Best to keep the admin organization consistent.

Also similarly we're going to have a state navigator as opposed to a district navigator. On page three, we're going to change the language to state that students will have the right to attend the school that is currently serving their geographic area or the student's school of origin.

Then besides that, we're going to add additional comporting language throughout per doe's testimony. Also we'll add a section duty sets of money at states. If disputes arise over eligibility or school selection, we're going to add language to address that again that's incorporated into their testimony.

Then lastly we're going to Delete on page 4 lines 7 and 8 with regards to availability of federal funds because that might over complicate issues and even the date July 1, 2000 Questions Comments. Concerns. Vice Chair for the vote Members.

Voting on House Bill 2168 Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair Vote Aye. Any Members wishing to vote no? Any Members wishing to vote with reservation? Reservations for Representative Moraoka Chair your recommendation is without.

I think you Members can Moving on to next Bill HB2427 unaccompanied youth and DOE. The recommendation is to pass this with the HD1 effective date. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Vice Chair.

Voting on House Bill 2427 recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair Vote Aye. Any Members voting with reservation? Any Members voting no? Okay, Chair your recommendation is.

Thank you Members going on to the next bill HB2560 homelessness DOE and financial assistance. I concur with D's testimony. I'm going to move this program to the DHS. To DHS. Keep reckoning the date. Questions Comments Concerns Vice Chair for the vote.

Voting on House Bill 2560 Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair Both vote Aye. Any Members voting with reservation? Any Members voting no? Chair your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you Members Moving on to HB 2565 with regards to monetary awards for Ed Greek recipients that are educators, we will accept DOE and charter school's recommendations first making sure that this is a one time award for each awardee. That's an edge of tour.

Also also ensuring that we are including charter school educators and we're going to defect the date. Questions Comments Concerns?

Voting on House Bill 2565 Chairs recommendations pass with amendments. Chair Advice Chair Vote Aye. Any Members wishing to vote with reservation? Any Members voting no? Chair your recommendation is thank you.

Members Moving on to HB2 1172 Employee what is this? Employment for retired teachers. We are going to accept yours's recommendations and also to de to July 1st, 3000. Questions, Comments, Concerns? Vice Chair for the vote.

Voting on House Bill 2172 check recommendations passed with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair vote Aye. Any Members voting with reservation? Any Members voting no? Chair recommendation is adopted.

Thank you Members going on to the next bill HB2298 high school diplomas for our vets recommend passage with HD1 by the date. Questions Comments Concerns?

Voting on House Bill 2298 Chair's recommendations pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair vote aye. Any Members voting with reservations? Any Members voting no? Chair recommendation.

Lastly Members HB2304 Independent Schools and additional gifts going to accept community schools recommendations and we're going to defect the date to July 1, 2000.

Questions Comments concerns voting on House Bill. 2304. Chairs recommend is to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair Vote Aye. Any Members voting with reservation? Any Members wishing to vote no? Chair your recommendation is thank you.