STAND. COM. REP. NO. 119

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 600

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 600 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR KUA O KA LA PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL AND THE HAWAII ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide emergency funds to Kua o Ka La Public Charter School and the Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science Public Charter School for costs associated with the threat of lava flow on the Island of Hawaii.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Public Charter School Commission, Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kua o Ka La Public Charter School, Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science Public Charter School, Hawaii Island School Garden Network, Kamehameha Schools, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and one hundred fifty individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

     Your Committee finds that Kua o Ka La Public Charter School and the Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences Public Charter School have expended funds to prepare for the lava flow on the Island of Hawaii.  Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences Public Charter School is in the direct path of the flow, but has not been subject to mandatory evacuation.  As such, it must continue to operate in its current location due to rent commitments.  Should the lava continue on its path, the campus could be bisected with lava flow, some facilities could be lost, and access could become restricted.  Kua o Ka La Public Charter School has expended funds to expand its location in Hilo to accommodate students whose access to the main campus could be cut off by lava flow.  It is also preparing for additional enrollment depending on the lava flow's impact on transportation.

     Your Committee further finds that because public charter schools have no emergency funds, and because federal aid only exists in the form of reimbursements, these schools require state aid to prepare for and recover from the effects of the lava flow on the Island of Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 600 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair