Relating To General Fund Budget Appropriations For The University Of Hawaii.
If enacted, SB835 would officially amend section 304A-2101 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, providing a more flexible approach towards budgeting for the university. This would allow future legislatures to set appropriations based on a broader consideration of factors such as the state's fiscal condition, enrollment rates, and access to educational opportunities, rather than being strictly tied to the revenue generated from tuition fees. The intention behind this change is to enable a more adaptable funding mechanism that could better response to changing economic and enrollment conditions.
Senate Bill 835 addresses the general fund budget appropriations for the University of Hawaii by repealing the existing requirement that specifies the appropriations must be no less than three times and no greater than five times the estimated regular tuition and related fee revenues for that fiscal year. The bill aims to clarify the appropriation process and prevent confusion about funding commitments from one legislature to the next. The current law was deemed not to bind future legislatures and merely served as guidance from previous legislatures on appropriations for the university.
The removal of specific funding requirements may raise concerns regarding the stability of future budget appropriations for the University of Hawaii. Critics may argue that without the original funding formula, there is a risk of underfunding the university, especially in times of budget constraints. Proponents, however, would argue that flexibility in appropriations could ultimately benefit the university by allowing it to align funding with actual needs, rather than being locked into a formula that may not reflect current circumstances.