Bill Text: HI HB1676 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii House Bill 1676

Bill Title: Relating To The University Of Hawaii.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-14 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Matayoshi, Takayama, Todd excused (3). [HB1676 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB1676-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1676
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there continues to be a need for teachers, counselors, and administrators in the State of Hawaii, particularly in the counties of Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai. Each year, more than sixty thousand children in Hawaii are taught by an uncertified teacher. The lack of qualified teachers in the State is further exacerbated by professionals retiring, leaving the educational workforce, or relocating elsewhere to live. Every year, approximately one thousand two hundred teachers retire or leave the state system. Since 2012, the number of teachers leaving Hawaii has increased by more than seventy per cent.

The legislature further finds that Act 141, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022 (Act 141), required the university of Hawaii to establish K-12 expanded teaching cohort programs in each county for students who are pursuing undergraduate degrees in education. However, no funding for this mandate was provided. Act 141 also required that prior to the start of the regular sessions of 2023, 2024, and 2025, the university of Hawaii provide the legislature with a report on, among other things, the number of faculty needed to teach additional programs in teaching and the cost of establishing additional programs in teaching.

In order to fully implement the mandate of Act 141, the legislature finds that staff is needed to provide oversight and administrative support for the programs on each island, conduct field supervision, teach courses, recruit and advise candidates, and serve as the point of contact between the university of Hawaii at Manoa college of education and the various programs.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the university of Hawaii to help it meet the requirements of Act 141.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $625,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for seven full-time equivalent (7.0 FTE) positions at the university of Hawaii at Manoa college of education to fulfill the requirements of Act 141, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Teacher Cohort; Teacher Shortage; Expenditure Ceiling

Description:

Appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii to fulfill the requirements of Act 141, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.