STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1323

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 986

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 986, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require renovations of public school buildings to meet energy efficiency and environmental standards.

More specifically, this measure:

(1)  Adds energy efficiency and environmental standards to achieve high performance classrooms as a criterion that may be used to establish current repair and maintenance requirements for state educational facilities;

(2)  Requires the Superintendent of Education to ensure that all repair and maintenance projects follow the required energy efficiency and environmental standards;

(3)  Requires the renovation of state buildings and facilities to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver or two green globes rating or similar guideline, standard, or system;

(4)  Adds energy efficiency and environmental standards as a basis of the Department of Education's six-year program and financial plan for school repair and maintenance; and

(5)  Requires that consideration be given to energy efficiency and environmental standards when prioritizing a school's repair and maintenance needs.

     Your Committee received two written comments on this measure.  Written comments may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that energy efficiency is critical to protecting the environment and reducing the energy costs incurred by public school facilities.  Electrical and energy savings from efficient public school buildings would decrease energy costs, promote new technology, and set an example for other public and private entities to implement energy efficiency and high performance buildings and reduce energy consumption.  Your Committee also finds that proper maintenance of public school buildings is critical to the health and well-being of Hawaii's students.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 986, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair