Report Title:

Requesting an audit to update standards for procurement in schools.

WHEREAS, Hawaii's Public School System is fragile and stands the great risk of collapse; and

WHEREAS, many of our students are without well-maintained classrooms, updated textbooks, and other necessary educational materials; and

WHEREAS, the physical state of many of Hawaii's public schools is in poor shape with numerous cracks and electrical deficiencies throughout the buildings; and

WHEREAS, our children deserve to be educated in a quality learning environment; and

WHEREAS, current standards for the procurement of goods and services for public schools are outdated with respect to such items as portable classrooms, desks, school equipment, and the like; and

WHEREAS, an audit of the procurement law is needed to assess the effectiveness in the acquisition of goods and services for public schools; and

WHEREAS, an audit of the procurement law is also needed to make recommendations for updating standards regarding the procurement of goods and services for public schools; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, that the State Auditor is requested to study and assess effectiveness of the current procurement system and law in connection with the procurement of goods and services for public schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Auditor is further requested to make any appropriate recommendations for updating the standards for procurement in the public schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Auditor is requested to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the State Auditor.