Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Energy, Environment, and International Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1662 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Education to develop a plan to provide air conditioning in all public school facilities within ten years and incorporate the use of energy conservation initiatives throughout the department's facilities.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Education and Hawaii State Teachers Association.

Your Committees find that providing a quality learning experience is enhanced when distractions are kept at a minimum. Providing air conditioned classrooms and facilities will assist students in remaining focused during their educational instruction. This measure will provide funding for the department to plan for future installation of air conditioning throughout the public schools. Further, your Committees find that the department should be more environmentally conscious; this measure therefore encourages energy conservation measures in the public schools.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Energy, Environment, and International Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1662 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.