Establishes a position within the department of education for a Special Education Budget Analyst and appropriates funds for fiscal year 2001-2002.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that while the current annual operating budget for the department of education (DOE) is approximately 1.2 billion dollars, a major obstacle to the efficient education of our children is the substantial outlay of resources for compliance with the Felix Consent Decree and the needs for special education.

For example, 350 million dollars, the amount the DOE and the department of health (DOH) believe is necessary to be in compliance with Felix in fiscal year 2001-2002, is a tremendous drain on the state's budget for public schools. Much of the difficulty in properly managing special education needs is the lack of accounting of the monies spent in other departments-health, human services, attorney general-and other branches of government-the Judiciary.

The purpose of this Act is to provide for a Special Education Budget Analyst within the department of education to account for all funding of Felix and Special Needs children, including monies spent in other departments and branches of government. This Act also appropriates funds for the funding and operating expenses of this position.

SECTION 2. There shall be established within department of education a position entitled, Special Education Budget Analyst, to be appointed by the Superintendent of Schools, who shall account for all funds spent annually in compliance with the Felix Consent Decree and on Special Needs children. The analyst shall report the findings annually to the legislature not later than twenty days before the start of the regular legislative session.

(b) All departments and branches of government that expend monies directly related to the Felix Consent Decree and Special Needs children shall annually provide all such financial information to the Special Education Budget Analyst for the purposes of this Act.

(c) The Special Education Budget Analyst shall be appointed without regard to chapters 76, 77, and 89, but shall be entitled to participate in any employee benefit program or privilege generally available to state employees.

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 2001-2002, for one (1.0) full-time Special Education Budget Analyst position and related operating expenses.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.