STAND. COM. REP. NO. 407

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 896

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 896 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Education for the design and construction of photovoltaic panels over all playgrounds at Department of Education schools.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Kauai Climate Action Coalition, 350Hawaii.org, and ten individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from four individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and one individual.

Your Committees find that ultraviolet rays present in sunlight pose a threat to the well-being of Hawaii's people and play a significant role in the development of sunburns, skin aging, and skin cancers, including malignant melanoma. Providing protection from direct sunlight by installing photovoltaic panels as shading over playgrounds would protect Hawaii's keiki and lower energy costs at Hawaii's public schools.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting findings related to the dangers of over-exposure to ultraviolet rays for children and renewable energy solutions to address high utility bills and ultraviolet exposure;

(2) Deleting language that would have appropriated funds for the design and construction of photovoltaic panels over all playgrounds at Department of Education schools;

(3) Requiring the Department of Education to:

(A) Assess its facilities and provide the Legislature with a list of priority facilities in each county at which the installation of renewable energy systems, including battery storage, on school facilities would provide the most benefit;

(B) Provide a list of priority play areas on school campuses in each county that are most in need of covered play areas to protect children from over-exposure to heat and ultraviolet rays;

(C) Assess and report on the feasibility of including renewable energy systems on play area covers on school campuses; and

(D) Submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2024;

(4) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 896, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 896, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Education,

____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair