REPORT TITLE:
Environmental Education


DESCRIPTION:
Establishes an environmental education council to oversee
implementation of a strategic plan for environmental education.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           2255
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.



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

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that it is important to
 
 2 encourage both formal and informal environmental education for
 
 3 all age groups.  However, there is a lack of leadership and
 
 4 coordination among existing environmental education services,
 
 5 programs, and curricula.  As a result, use of the limited
 
 6 existing resources has not been optimal.
 
 7      The legislature further finds that there is a need to
 
 8 establish a comprehensive environmental education program aimed
 
 9 at developing environmentally-literate citizens who are prepared
 
10 to solve existing environmental problems, prevent new problems,
 
11 and maintain a sustainable environment for future generations.
 
12 An environmentally-literate citizen must have certain skills and
 
13 knowledge, including:
 
14      (1)  A basic understanding of ecological principles;
 
15      (2)  An awareness of environmental issues and an
 
16           appreciation of the impact that an individual can have
 
17           on the environment; and
 
18      (3)  The skills necessary to address environmental issues.
 
19      A key component to the success of a comprehensive
 

 
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 1 environmental education program is the establishment of an
 
 2 environmental education council to advise and oversee the
 
 3 implementation of a strategic plan for educating persons about
 
 4 the environment.  To be effective, this council must consist of
 
 5 leaders from various sectors of society, including formal and
 
 6 informal education, general business, environmental industries,
 
 7 government, the general public, and community organizations.
 
 8      The purpose of this Act is to establish an environmental
 
 9 education council to oversee implementation of a strategic plan
 
10 for environmental education.
 
11      SECTION 2.  Chapter 341, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended
 
12 by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to
 
13 read as follows:
 
14      "§341-    Environmental education council established;
 
15 duties; composition.  There is established within the office of
 
16 environmental quality control for administrative purposes the
 
17 environmental education council.  The environmental education
 
18 council shall:
 
19      (1)  Monitor and oversee the implementation of a strategic
 
20           plan for environmental education that has been
 
21           developed through a consensus process involving
 
22           educators and representatives from government,
 
23           business, and community organizations;
 

 
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 1      (2)  Update and revise annually the strategic plan to make
 
 2           as effective as possible the promotion, coordination,
 
 3           and delivery of environmental education programs;
 
 4      (3)  Seek and receive private support to fund environmental
 
 5           education initiatives;
 
 6      (4)  Assist in the integration and evaluation of
 
 7           environmental education in the existing school
 
 8           curriculum;
 
 9      (5)  Monitor and report periodically on environmental
 
10           literacy in Hawaii;
 
11      (6)  Make recommendations and seek changes through rules,
 
12           legislation, and other means to promote environmental
 
13           literacy in Hawaii;
 
14      (7)  Provide technical assistance to the legislature for
 
15           legislation related to environmental education;
 
16      (8)  Solicit public and private partnerships at the county
 
17           and state levels to provide environmental education
 
18           programs; and
 
19      (9)  Submit an annual report on the status of environmental
 
20           education to the governor and legislature not later
 
21           than twenty days prior to each legislative session.
 
22      (b)  The council shall consist of not more than eighteen
 
23 members who shall be appointed by the governor as provided in
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           2255
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 section 26-34, except that appointments shall not be subject to
 
 2 confirmation by the senate.  Members of the council shall have an
 
 3 existing involvement, interest, or association in environmental
 
 4 education.  The governor shall appoint at least one member:
 
 5      (1)  From a list provided by the board of education;
 
 6      (2)  From a list provided by the department of education's
 
 7           office of instructional services;
 
 8      (3)  From a list provided by the Hawaii Association of
 
 9           Independent Schools;
 
10      (4)  From a list provided by the University of Hawaii's
 
11           environmental center that shall include nominees from
 
12           the University of Hawaii-Manoa, the University of
 
13           Hawaii-Hilo, and the University of Hawaii-West Oahu
 
14           campuses;
 
15      (5)  From a list provided by the office of the chancellor
 
16           for community colleges;
 
17      (6)  From a list provided by the Hawaii Independent Colleges
 
18           and Universities;
 
19      (7)  From a list provided by the Hawaii Environmental
 
20           Education Association.  Nominees on this list shall not
 
21           be required to be members of the Hawaii Environmental
 
22           Education Association;
 
23      (8)  From a list provided by the Chamber of Commerce of
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           2255
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1           Hawaii;
 
 2      (9)  Representing environmental industries within the State;
 
 3     (10)  Representing a federal agency whose responsibilities
 
 4           involve the environment;
 
 5     (11)  Representing a state agency whose responsibilities
 
 6           involve the environment; and
 
 7     (12)  Representing a county agency whose responsibilities
 
 8           involve the environment.
 
 9 The council shall consist of at least one member from each of the
 
10 islands or island groups of:  Hawaii, Oahu, Molokai or Lanai,
 
11 Maui, and Kauai or Niihau.  Furthermore, at least fifty per cent
 
12 of the members shall be from organizations that were involved in
 
13 the drafting of the strategic plan.  Appointments shall be made
 
14 within sixty days following the effective date of this Act.  The
 
15 members shall elect a chairperson.
 
16      (c)  Any vacancy on the council shall be filled by the
 
17 governor within fifteen days after being notified of a vacancy
 
18 and in the same manner in which the original position was filled.
 
19      (d)  Members shall serve without compensation but shall be
 
20 reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for
 
21 the performance of their duties.  Expenses shall be paid out of
 
22 the budget for the office of environmental quality control."
 
23      SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.
 

 
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 1      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
 2 
 
 3                           INTRODUCED BY:_________________________