HI HB919

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 304A-402 to grant resident tuition rates at University of Hawaii campuses and community colleges to students who earned a Hawaii high school diploma, high school equivalency diploma, or adult community school diploma and are pursuing their first undergraduate degree.

Requires that such students meet the standard 12-month consecutive residency requirement or have parents/guardians meeting the residency requirement at time of enrollment.

Exempts students from the tax dependent claim restriction if they earned a Hawaii high school diploma and are working toward their first undergraduate degree, allowing Hawaii high school graduates to qualify for resident tuition even if claimed as dependents by out-of-state parents.

Includes a provision that prevents individuals who have not been bona fide residents of Hawaii for more than 12 years from qualifying under the Hawaii diploma pathway.

Takes effect upon approval.