Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1132, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to create the education design and construction project assessment fund within the Department of Education and to broaden the department's authority over capital improvement projects.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Education and Hawaii State Teachers Association. The Department of Budget and Finance submitted testimony in opposition.

Your Committee finds that school facilities repair, maintenance, and construction projects have been generally divided between the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Department of Education. Although both departments have been diligent in their duties, the separation has caused bureaucratic complications and delays. Not only are many public school facilities in dire need of repair, but new facilities also need to be constructed to reduce the classroom shortage of three hundred forty-nine classrooms.

Accordingly, your Committee has included the following language:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1132, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1132, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.