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SB 1489

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESIDENT TUITION FEE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Kouchi

SB 1489 aims to expand residency criteria at the University of Hawaii, allowing more students to qualify for lower resident tuition rates, making education more accessible.

Reported from HRE (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 521) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
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Bill Summary · SB 1489

Summary of SB 1489: Relating to the University of Hawaii Resident Tuition Fee

Purpose and Intent

Senate Bill 1489 (SB 1489) aims to amend the regulations governing resident tuition fees at the University of Hawaii (UH). The primary intent of the bill is to clarify and potentially expand the criteria for residency status, which directly affects tuition rates for students attending the university.

Key Provisions

  • Residency Criteria: The bill proposes changes to the definitions and requirements for establishing residency for tuition purposes. This may include adjustments to the duration of residency required or the types of documentation needed to prove residency.
  • Tuition Fee Structure: By modifying the residency criteria, the bill seeks to ensure that more students can qualify for resident tuition rates, which are significantly lower than non-resident rates.
  • Implementation Timeline: The bill outlines a timeline for when these changes would take effect, although specific dates are not detailed in the current version.

Affected Parties

  • Students: The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be students who are seeking to enroll at the University of Hawaii. Those who can establish residency under the new criteria may see a reduction in their tuition fees.
  • University Administration: The administration at UH will need to implement the new residency criteria and adjust their processes for evaluating residency applications.
  • State Budget: Changes in tuition revenue could impact the university's budget, depending on the number of students qualifying for resident status.

Legislative Process and Timeline

  • Introduced: January 21, 2025
  • First Reading: January 23, 2025
  • Committee Hearings: The bill was reviewed by the Higher Education Committee (HRE), which held a public hearing on February 11, 2025.
  • Committee Recommendations: On February 11, 2025, the HRE recommended that the bill be passed with amendments (SD 1). The vote was unanimous in favor, with no opposition.
  • Second Reading: The bill passed its Second Reading on February 14, 2025, and was referred to the Ways and Means Committee (WAM) for further consideration.

Related Legislation

  • HB 1170: This bill serves as a companion measure to SB 1489, indicating that similar provisions may be under consideration in the House of Representatives.

Conclusion

SB 1489 represents a significant step towards making higher education more accessible for residents of Hawaii by potentially lowering tuition costs for qualifying students. The bill is currently progressing through the legislative process and will undergo further scrutiny in the WAM committee.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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