Report Title:

Public School Facilities; Air Conditioning

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of education to develop a plan to provide air conditioning in all public school facilities within ten years and to incorporate energy conservation initiatives in public school facilities.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	76
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  It is the State's duty to provide a proper environment that is conducive to learning for its public school students.  However, although Hawaii has a tropical climate, many of its public school facilities are not equipped with air conditioning systems.  Hawaii's climate can produce heated classroom environments that are unbearable and that can hinder a child's academic abilities.

     The increasing cost of oil and the growing demand for electricity make the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy technology an important conservation initiative.  Currently, state law requires the State to establish policies designed to increase energy self-sufficiency and energy security, including the use of renewable energy resources.  Hawaii is blessed with an abundance of renewable energy resources including wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal energy, ocean thermal energy conversion, and wave energy.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of education to develop a plan to provide air conditioning in all public school facilities within ten years and to incorporate energy conservation initiatives in public school facilities.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  Notwithstanding section 302A-1501, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the department of education shall develop a plan to provide for air conditioning systems in all public school facilities within ten years from the effective date of this Act and to incorporate energy conservation initiatives in public school facilities.  The plan shall include recommendations for the following:

     (1)  Financial mechanisms to fund the installation of air conditioning systems in all public school facilities within ten years;

     (2)  Providing for the implementation of energy efficient lights, appliances, or other fixtures in all public school facilities;

     (3)  Incorporating energy conservation initiatives throughout public school facilities, including the use of renewable energy resources; and

     (4)  Development of long-term plans to reduce usage or costs, or both, related to electricity, gas, and water, including the construction of new infrastructures.

     (b)  The energy, resources, and technology division of the department of business, economic development, and tourism shall provide any necessary assistance to the department of education in the development of the plan.

     (c)  The department of education shall submit a report on the status of the plan to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2008 regular session, and shall submit a final report and the plan to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2009 regular session.

     SECTION 3.  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 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the department of education to develop a plan to provide air conditioning systems for public school facilities within ten years and to incorporate energy conservation initiatives in public school facilities.

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

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:

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