HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2126
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR A VIRTUAL SCHOOL.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  This Act is recommended by the governor for immediate passage in accordance with article VII, section 9, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  The legislature finds that the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak caused unprecedented disruption for businesses and communities.  For schools, the disruption began on March 15, 2020, when the department of education extended spring break as a precaution to provide for the safety of its staff and students.  Subsequently, on March 22, 2020, the then mayor of the city and county of Honolulu issued emergency order no. 2020-02 that required all individuals in the city and county of Honolulu to stay at home and to work at home except for certain essential activities and to provide essential government operations.

     The legislature further finds that despite the stay-at-home order, the department of education continued to provide educational services to students through a distance learning format that allowed students to continue their education despite not being able to attend school in person.  Teachers were required to pivot to be able to provide curriculum, content, and enrichment through a variety of means including online videos, assignments, tutorials, and virtual meetings.  The department of education purchased computers, devices, and wireless hotspots that were distributed to students across the State to ensure equity of access to the virtual content that was being created.  This herculean effort allowed for education to continue through the end of the 2020 school year without jeopardizing the health and safety of students and staff.

     The legislature additionally finds that the development of a vaccine and with proper safety measures in place, the department of education resumed in-person education.  However, the disruption caused by the pandemic has made it clear that some of the practices employed to allow for distance learning should continue.  While in-person education overall has shown to be more effective for students, it has become clear that an option to attend school virtually should be made available for those for whom an in‑person education would prove to be too difficult.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of education for fiscal year 2021-2022 to build a virtual school to allow for distance learning.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2021-2022 for the purpose of building a virtual school to allow for distance learning.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education.

     SECTION 4.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2021-2022 for the purpose of renovations and electrical upgrades for a virtual school for the department of education.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education.

     SECTION 5.  The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2024, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

 

Report Title:

Department of Education; Virtual School; Emergency Appropriation

 

Description:

Makes an emergency appropriation for a department of education virtual school and authorizes the director of finance to issue general obligation bonds.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (HD1)

 

 

 

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