Hawaii House Bill HB2527

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/24
• Refer: 1/26/24

Caption

Relating To Department Of Education Facilities.

Impact

The proposed legislation lays out a structured framework for regular facility condition assessments, which would be conducted yearly. These assessments will include maintaining a scoring system to evaluate and compare the state of each facility. The findings will be reported to educational authorities and used to determine if additional funding is necessary for repairs or maintenance. The structured approach to evaluating school facilities is expected to enhance accountability and transparency within the Department of Education.

Summary

House Bill 2527 focuses on maintaining Department of Education facilities through the establishment of an asset preservation program. This program requires the Department of Education to uphold standards of performance accountability, student health, and safety by mandating that school facilities are maintained in accordance with specific guidelines. The bill aims to ensure that educational environments are conducive to learning and that the physical infrastructure of schools is preserved effectively over time.

Contention

One notable aspect of the bill is the inclusion of a provision for a certified evaluator to assess each facility every five years. This external evaluation is aimed at ensuring objectivity in the condition assessments. Furthermore, all condition assessments and evaluations are to be made publicly accessible, which can foster community trust and involvement in the upkeep of educational facilities. However, the bill may also face discussions around budgeting for maintenance versus new construction and whether existing resources are sufficient to support this increased oversight.