Report Title:

After-School Programs; Natural Resource Education

Description:

Establishes an after-school pilot program to educate public elementary school students about Hawaii's natural resources.  Requires pilot program to be established in public elementary schools on Molokai, Lanai, and the Hana district of Maui.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1795
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's natural resources are an integral part of Hawaiian culture and history.  The purpose of this Act is to establish an afterschool program to provide public elementary school students with an opportunity to learn about the natural resources of Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of education shall develop and administer an after-school natural resource education pilot program for public elementary school students.  The department shall develop a curriculum to teach students about Hawaii's natural resources, including aquatic life, wildlife, and land plants.

     (b)  The natural resource education pilot program shall be established in all public elementary schools on Molokai, Lanai, and the Hana district of Maui and shall be operational no later than           .

     (c)  All students enrolled in public elementary schools in kindergarten through grade six shall be eligible to participate in the program.

     (d)  The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to effectuate this Act.

     (e)  The department of education shall submit a report to the legislature concerning the status of the natural resources pilot program and make findings and recommendations, including whether to continue the program, not later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2011.

     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 2009-2010 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010-2011 to establish and implement the after-school natural resource education pilot program for public elementary school students on Molokai, Lanai, and the Hana district of Maui.

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

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2009.

INTRODUCED BY:

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