THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	258
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  (a)  The department of education in consultation with the Hawaii state energy office of the department of business, economic development, and tourism and the Hawaii natural energy institute of the University of Hawaii, shall develop a master strategy for the cooling of all public school facilities and shall conduct a comprehensive study that addresses factors, including but not limited to:

     (1)  Applicable electrical and environmental standards governing the use of equipment to facilitate ideal room temperatures;

     (2)  Estimated capital improvement project costs;

     (3)  Projected long-term repair and maintenance costs; and

     (4)  Any other factors that are relevant to the legislature's consideration of the department of education's proposals for funding the master strategy for cooling all public school facilities.

     (b)  The comprehensive study may be conducted in coordination with other infrastructure studies undertaken by the department of education for similar purposes to:

     (1)  Minimize duplication and maximize cost benefits; and

     (2)  Ensure that retrofits of infrastructure are performed in conjunction with energy-efficiency projects, deferred maintenance, and upgrades of facilities.

     SECTION 2.  The department of education shall submit a report of findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016.  The report shall include:

     (1)  A timeline that includes dates and prioritization schedules for the implementation of the master strategy for cooling all public school facilities;

     (2)  Discussion of the capacity, infrastructure, and funding needs of the department of education in implementing the master strategy for cooling all public school facilities; and

     (3)  Discussion of how the master strategy for cooling all public school facilities complements and overlaps with the department of education's overall facilities master plan and sustainability efforts.

     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 2015-2016 for a comprehensive study regarding the cooling of all public school facilities and the development of a master strategy for cooling all public school facilities.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     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 2015-2016 for the purpose of funding projects that demonstrate efficient methods of cooling classrooms.

     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, 2018, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

 

 

 

Report Title:

Public Schools; Cooling; General Obligation Bonds; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the department of education in consultation with the Hawaii state energy office of the department of business, economic development, and tourism and the Hawaii natural energy institute of the University of Hawaii, to conduct a comprehensive study and develop a master strategy for the cooling of all public schools.  Requires the findings to be reported to the legislature.  Appropriates funds for the comprehensive study of cooling needs and development of a master strategy for cooling all public schools.  Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for projects that demonstrate efficient methods of cooling classrooms.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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