Bill Text: HI HB448 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Photovoltaic Solar Air Conditioning In Public Schools.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-11-30 - Carried over to 2018 Regular Session. [HB448 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-HB448-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
448 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to photovoltaic solar air conditioning in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a significant number of public school students in Hawaii must learn and study in very hot classrooms. A recent Hawaii Tribune-Herald article reported that heat in classrooms causes students to feel distracted and lazy rather than focused and motivated to learn. In addition, heat exhaustion is becoming increasingly prevalent and taking a toll on students and teachers alike.
Air conditioning in Hawaii's public schools is becoming a necessity for students to learn and enjoy their time in school, with their minds focused on education and not distracted by the heat. According to a research paper by P.A. Hancock, an immediate exposure to extreme heat resulted in an initial stimulating effect on perpetual efficiency; relatively mild thermal manipulations resulted in diminished performance; and under uncomfortably hot conditions, even highly motivated subjects were unable to maintain performance efficiency.
Hawaii's renewable portfolio standard goal of one hundred per cent renewable energy by 2045 and the focus on net-zero energy use form part of a sustainable future in a world threatened by climate change. Hawaii can be on the cutting edge of this movement, and the State and public schools should reflect a commitment to these aims by requiring the installation of photovoltaic solar air conditioning in all new public school facilities.
The purpose of this Act is to provide a more comfortable environment for public school students and teachers and to help Hawaii achieve its renewable energy goals by requiring the department of education to install photovoltaic solar air conditioning in all new public school facilities.
SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to subpart A of Part VI to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§302A- Photovoltaic solar air conditioning in new public school facilities. (a) The department shall install photovoltaic solar air conditioning in all new public school facilities.
(b) The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to develop appropriate standards to effectuate this section.
(c) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, the department shall submit a report to the legislature regarding the installation of photovoltaic solar air conditioning in all new public school facilities, including the status and costs of the installations.
(d) As used in this section, "public school facilities" means facilities owned or operated by the department, or the facilities included in the department of education capital budget or capital facilities plan."
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 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to install photovoltaic solar air conditioning in all new public school facilities as required by this Act.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by
the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Department of Education; New Public School Facilities; Photovoltaic Solar Air Conditioning; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Department of Education to install photovoltaic solar air conditioning in all new public school facilities. Makes an appropriation.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
