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Committee advances bill to grant resident tuition to recent Hawai‘i high school graduates
Summary
The Senate Committee on Higher Education passed HB1170 HD1, which would allow individuals who graduated from a Hawai‘i high school to qualify for resident tuition at University of Hawai‘i campuses for up to four years under certain conditions; the committee discussed the choice of a four‑year window and administrative rule alternatives.
The Senate Committee on Higher Education on March 18 voted to pass House Bill 1170 HD1, which would direct the University of Hawai‘i to grant resident tuition to individuals who graduated from a Hawai‘i high school and enroll in an undergraduate degree program under specified conditions.
University witnesses told the committee the draft proposes a four‑year window during which a recent Hawai‘i high‑school graduate could qualify for resident tuition even if they left the state for part of that time. "The reason why we're supporting this version for 4 years is we have seen many students who have left the state ... and they return prior to actually obtaining that degree," an AVP participating by Zoom said, noting a four‑year period allows time for students to leave and return and still reengage in degree completion.
Members pressed university staff about administrative-rule changes as an alternative to legislation, and staff said residency officers across UH’s 10 campuses had discussed rule revisions but that the HAR (Hawai‘i Administrative Rules) process would take longer than statutory change.
The committee voted to pass HB1170 HD1 unamended. Chair Kim and Vice Chair Kidani voted aye; Senator Hashimoto and Senator Fevella also voted aye; Senator Fukunaga was excused. The draft sent forward retains a defined four‑year period and includes language allowing qualification without an immediate 12‑month physical presence in Hawai‘i when the high‑school graduation condition applies.
