Authorizes the director of finance to issue general obligation bonds for the purpose of building three sports and community multi-purpose use facilities on the campuses of Farrington High School, Roosevelt High School, and McKinley High School.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Hawaii's future lies in its ability to provide its youth with a quality educational system. Over the years, the State has demonstrated its commitment to this goal by establishing new policies and increasing funding to support the educational needs of Hawaii's people. Most recently, the legislature approved Act 51 of the 2004 regular session, which made significant changes to enhance the State's educational system. However, one critical aspect of the system, which is often overlooked, is the physical structure needed to provide students with an overall environment conducive to learning and the proper facilities for the students to participate in sports and other extracurricular programs.

The legislature finds that the quality of public education in the State is related to the condition of its public educational facilities. The physical facilities used by the department of education provide the centerpiece around which all other educational activities exist. Adequate financing is necessary to keep educational facilities functional, architecturally sound, aesthetically pleasing, and in compliance with building and safety codes.

Unfortunately, three high schools in highly populated urban centers lack quality sports and community multi-purpose use facilities. Farrington High School, Roosevelt High School, and McKinley High School are in great need of facilities to properly offer their large population of students the basic programs offered throughout other state high schools. It is imperative that the State provide adequate facilities to allow its students the opportunities to excel in all basic programs offered in the education system, including physical fitness activities.

The purpose of this Act is to authorize the director of finance to issue general obligation bonds for the purpose of building three sports and community multi-purpose use facilities on the campuses of Farrington High School, Roosevelt High School, and McKinley High School.

SECTION 2. 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 2005-2006 for the purpose of building three sports and community multi-purpose use facilities on the campuses of Farrington High School, Roosevelt High School, and McKinley High School.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The appropriation made for the capital improvement projects 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, 2007, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.