Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii West Oahu; authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds. (HB3167 HD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the University of Hawaii-West Oahu was designed and developed to meet the needs of commuters, older students, working students, and those interested in professional education.

The academic program at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu is currently organized around four interdisciplinary degrees: humanities, social sciences, public administration, and business administration. These programs and the thirteen concentration areas they serve are all expected to grow when the lower two years of curriculum are implemented. The University of Hawaii-West Oahu has been authorized to develop two additional degree programs: one for a bachelor of education and the other for a bachelor of applied sciences. Within each of these degrees there will be multiple areas of concentration. These programs will require not only larger, but also more complex facilities, such as laboratories and clinical practice areas. The campus will also provide opportunities for students to work and participate in internships on and off campus.

The University of Hawaii-West Oahu continues to make gains in ensuring academic quality and increasing access to its academic programs for residents residing in the areas of leeward and central Oahu. In order to continue this upward trend, additional funding is needed to address workforce needs, increasing student enrollment, and growing academic needs.

SECTION 2. 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 2006-2007, for the University of Hawaii-West Oahu in Kapolei, Oahu.

SECTION 3. 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 2006-2007 for the purpose of planning, designing, and constructing a new four-year undergraduate college for the University of Hawaii-West Oahu in Kapolei, Oahu.

SECTION 4. The appropriation made for the capitol improvement project authorized by section 3 of 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, 2008, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 5. 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 2006-2007, for the design and construction of a new four-year college campus for the University of Hawaii-West Oahu in Kapolei, Oahu.

SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the University of Hawaii-West Oahu special fund the sum of $ , or so much thereof as maybe necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the design and construction of a new four-year college campus for the University of Hawaii-West Oahu in Kapolei, Oahu.

SECTION 7. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act; provided that the University of Hawaii-West Oahu shall ensure that all construction and renovation work for which funds are appropriated under this Act meets or exceeds the leadership in energy and environmental design silver rating standards for new construction and major renovation work (LEED-NC) and existing building operations (LEED-EB) established by the United States Green Building Council for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.