Bill Text: HI HB636 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Capital Improvement.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-3)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-28 - Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-04-25. [HB636 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2025-HB636-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
636 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to capital improvement.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii schools are physical assets estimated to be valued at approximately $10,500,000,000. The average age of a school building in Hawaii is sixty years. Approximately five hundred ninety-four buildings are operated beyond their expected life.
The legislature further finds that construction is historically expensive in Hawaii and that the industry has faced challenges related to the lingering impacts of the pandemic. The amount of money the State spends on school-related construction and the reasons for such spending need to be informed and justified.
The legislature also finds that Hawaii has appropriated an average of approximately $454,000,000 for capital improvement projects to the department of education each year for the past twelve years, yet no data-based process for determining how and why projects are funded and prioritized exists.
The legislature additionally finds that Hawaii needs a planning database that can help inform spending and prioritization of capital improvement projects for school facilities in the State.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a school capital improvement project modernization initiative in the school facilities authority to create a planning database for school facilities.
SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VI, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§302A- School capital improvement project
modernization initiative. (a)
The authority shall establish a school capital improvement project
modernization initiative, which shall include a planning database for school
facilities statewide. The planning
database shall include, at a minimum:
(1) A comprehensive asset inventory of school
properties, buildings, facilities, and infrastructure, which shall be updated
no later than June 30 of each year;
(2) A facilities condition index, which shall
provide data and ratings on the condition of all school facilities; provided
that the rating of a school facility shall be updated no less than every three
years; and
(3) Enrollment to capacity ratio data, which
shall be updated no later than December 1 of each year.
The information in the planning database may be
organized by legislative district and complex area to allow legislators and
stakeholders to assess needs and priorities specific to their communities. The information in the planning database
shall also be available to the public through the authority's website.
(b) Using the information from the planning database established
pursuant to subsection (a), the school capital improvement project
modernization initiative shall identify, assess, and prioritize school
facilities projects using a classification system, including school facilities
projects for:
(1) Critical
infrastructure, such as school facilities projects involving:
(A) Fire alarm systems;
(B) Electrical, sewer, or water capacity;
(C) Roofing or structural integrity;
(D) Air conditioning; or
(E) Other infrastructure necessary for the safe operation of a
building;
(2) Expansion,
such as projects for new classrooms, buildings, or schools;
(3) Adding
or enhancing functional adequacy, such as projects that add or enhance school
administration, athletics, or other educational programs; and
(4) Compliance
with federal and state laws.
(c)
No later than August 15 of each year, the authority shall submit a
report to the legislature, governor, board, and superintendent to assist with
statewide planning and decision-making on school facilities projects. The report shall include:
(1) The
most current asset inventory and facilities condition index data, pursuant to
subsection (a);
(2) Enrollment
to capacity ratio data, pursuant to subsection(a), by school and geographic
area;
(3) Prioritized
statewide and geographic area lists of school facilities projects, as necessary,
summarizing capital improvement project progress by district or complex area,
classified pursuant to subsection (b); and
(4) An
analysis on school capacity utilization with recommendations for optimizing
utilization.
(d)
The authority shall report information and analysis from the school capital
improvement project modernization initiative to the board as necessary, but no
less than once a year, to assist the board in decision making on:
(1) Opening
new schools or closing existing schools, pursuant to section 302A-1129; and
(2) Repurposing
schools or unused public school facilities, pursuant to section 302A-1151.5.
(e)
For the purposes of this section, "school facilities projects"
mean existing or proposed capital improvement projects for properties,
buildings, facilities, or infrastructure owned by or under the control of the
department or the authority."
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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to be deposited into the school facilities special fund.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the school facilities special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish the school modernization initiative.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the school facilities authority for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
School Capital Improvement Project Modernization Initiative; School Facilities Authority; BOE; DOE; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes a school capital improvement project modernization initiative in the School Facilities Authority to create a planning database for school facilities. Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
