SB2699

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the backlog of repair and maintenance projects in public schools continues to be of concern and that all means of addressing the problem should be explored and supported.

The legislature finds that Hawaii 3R's, a private nonprofit organization, has saved the State money by completing repair and maintenance projects ordinarily completed with only state funds and resources at public schools. Hawaii 3R's generates savings for the State by leveraging state grant funds with federal funds, private donations, and volunteerism or "sweat equity" from various community organizations and businesses.

Since its inception in 2001, Hawaii 3R's has saved the State over $22 million. This figure is determined by taking the State's estimated cost of the repair and maintenance projects completed in Hawaii 3R's projects ($25 million) and subtracting the amount of state grant funds appropriated ($2.9 million). This means that for every State dollar invested in Hawaii 3R's, over eight dollars worth of work is completed. It is also noteworthy that Hawaii 3R's has statewide reach, with three hundred sixty grants awarded to one hundred sixty-one different schools on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai, and Hawaii, including seven public charter schools.

The legislature also finds that the public-private partnership between the State and Hawaii 3R's is effective and essential to the success of the program. Specifically, the legislature finds that the coordinator position within the department of education provides Hawaii 3R's with expertise, support, quick responses, and access to state resources and information. The coordinator position also adds visibility and positive media coverage to the efforts of the State.

The legislature acknowledges that Hawaii 3R's has built a partnership with the Joint Venture Education Forum, a partnership between the department of education and the United States Pacific Command. This relationship benefits not only military-impacted or military-partnered schools but all of Hawaii's public schools through increased military partnerships. Through the federal Joint Venture Education Forum funding, Hawaii 3R's can provide grants to over one hundred military-impacted, dependent, partnered schools.

The legislature is encouraged by the level of support that the community has given to Hawaii 3R's and, more importantly, to the public schools. Skilled and unskilled volunteer labor from the military, civic clubs, churches, teachers, parents, and students, combined with donations from community restaurants and businesses, have all contributed to the success of Hawaii 3R's. Also, trade unions and associations have been lending invaluable support. Overall, over three thousand people have provided over eleven thousand hours of volunteer labor.

The legislature understands that a new partnership will be formed between Hawaii 3R's and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and is excited by the opportunity to expand the resources available to Hawaii 3R's through the one thousand, one hundred member business of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. Such a partnership is consistent with the legislature's long-standing goal of creating and strengthening partnerships between schools and businesses.

The legislature, however, encourages Hawaii 3R's to create a system that will not only match up the resources of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii's members with the needs of the schools, but will be able to be expanded to include the entire business community statewide. A centralized system would greatly benefit the schools of Hawaii.

The legislature understands that as a new initiative, such an undertaking will require additional resources above and beyond any state funding that Hawaii 3R's currently receives or is scheduled to receive for its repair and maintenance activities.

Finally, the legislature finds that appropriating public funds to Hawaii 3R's serves the public purpose of expediting the repair and maintenance of Hawaii's public schools.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 as a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to Hawaii 3R's.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education through the Hawaii 3R's school repair and maintenance fund for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.

SECTION 4. It is the intent of this Act not to jeopardize the receipt of any federal aid nor to impair the obligations of the State or any agency thereof to the holders of any bond issued by the State or by any such agency, and to the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to effectuate this intent, the governor may modify the strict provisions of this Act, but shall promptly report any such modification with reasons therefor to the legislature at its next session thereafter for review by the legislature.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2699
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII