HB3212

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Hawaii Academy of Science is a private, not-for-profit education organization that has administered and operated the Hawaii state science and engineering fair for over fifty years. The Hawaii state science and engineering fair is a successful, innovative, and popular interscholastic education program that is open to all public school and private school secondary students.

The legislature further finds that all programs either currently operated or proposed by the Hawaii Academy of Science employ the concepts of experiential learning, and encourage innovative methodologies that engage students in project-based problem-solving, an important and expanding strategy to prepare the next generation of Hawaii's youth for the global economy.

The legislature further finds that historically, state funding has been appropriated to the department of education for the purpose of assisting the Hawaii Academy of Science in the administration and operation of the Hawaii state science and engineering fair. These moneys were used to fund salaries and benefits for the staff of the Hawaii Academy of Science, as well as assist the organization in procuring the rental of the fair's venue and necessary equipment for the operation of the Hawaii state science and engineering fair, and other attendant costs. The funds were annually allocated by the department to the research corporation of the University of Hawaii, which has administered these funds on behalf of the Hawaii Academy of Science since 1990.

The legislature recognizes the inherent value of interscholastic academic programs provided by private not‑for‑profit organizations such as the Hawaii Academy of Science, as reflected in its decision during the 2007 regular session to restore state funding to the Hawaii state science and engineering fair.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate sufficient funding to the department of education to provide the necessary financial assistance to the Hawaii Academy of Science for the administration and operation of all current and future interscholastic academic programs, and to increase that organization's capacity and reach to the greater community, through the development of teacher training and outreach workshops and programs, student internships, workshops, seminars, and other learning opportunities to allow for the effective mentoring, counseling and guidance of students who display an interest in science, technology and engineering.

SECTION 2. Act 213, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, is amended by amending section 70 to read as follows:

"SECTION 70. Provided that of the general fund appropriation for school-based budgeting (EDN 100), the sum of $250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the sum of $250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008‑2009, shall be expended by the department of education for the [~~engineering and science fair;~~] Hawaii Academy of Science to assist the organization in the administration and operation of its current and future interscholastic academic programs, including outreach and training programs; and provided further that any unexpended funds shall lapse to the general fund."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	3212
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII