Bill Text: HI SB2124 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Restoration of Instructional Days; Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund; Appropriation
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 19-0)
Status: (Passed) 2010-05-25 - (S) Act 143, 5/25/2010 (Gov. Msg. No. 601). [SB2124 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2010-SB2124-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2124 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the hawaii hurricane relief fund.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. This Act is recommended by the governor for immediate passage in accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.
SECTION 2. The legislature finds that reductions and restrictions to the department of education's operating budget of over $49 million for the 2009-2010 fiscal year and over $226 million for the 2010-2011 fiscal year have resulted in the loss of seventeen instructional days for ten-month non-charter public school students and twenty-one instructional days for twelve-month non-charter public school students during the 2009-2010 school year and the same number of lost instructional days during the 2010-2011 school year. The legislature further finds that if nothing is done to prevent the loss of these instructional days, Hawaii will become the state with the fewest number of instructional days in a school year. The State has received much criticism for responding to budget shortfalls in a manner that decreases learning opportunities and quality instructional time for students. On a national level, the United States Secretary of Education has strongly criticized the decision to decrease instructional days, especially since Hawaii is scheduled to receive approximately $500,000,000 from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, part of which is intended to avoid significant cuts to education and advance school reform. The Secretary has also indicated that the loss of instructional days has weakened the State's competitiveness for additional federal education grants. For these reasons, the legislature finds that the loss of instructional days for Hawaii's students is a short-sighted solution that will have detrimental long-term effects on Hawaii's students, reputation, and future.
Despite the great need for additional resources in many areas that would benefit the public, the legislature finds that providing a quality education for Hawaii's students is an overriding state priority with far-reaching effects on the prosperity, health, and growth of local communities and that ensuring adequate resources for education reflects a commitment and investment toward that priority. The legislature finds that an appropriation of Hawaii hurricane relief funds is necessary to maintain an essential level of programs and resources to provide Hawaii's students with a quality education.
The legislature declares that the appropriation made under this Act shall not be construed to mean that the legislature, in any way, intends to interfere with the processes of public sector collective bargaining as authorized under the state constitution and chapter 89, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate $50,000,000 in Hawaii hurricane relief funds to restore all remaining lost instructional days for the 2009-2010 school year that have been negotiated pursuant to the collective bargaining process established under chapter 89, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
SECTION 3. Notwithstanding provisions of chapter 431P, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the contrary, there is appropriated out of the Hawaii hurricane relief fund the sum of $50,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010 to restore all remaining lost instructional days for the 2009-2010 school year that have been negotiated pursuant to the collective bargaining process established under chapter 89, Hawaii Revised Statutes; provided that the funds appropriated by this Act shall only be released upon the completion of all negotiations of parties necessary to execute the restoration of instructional days pursuant to the collective bargaining process established under chapter 89, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance of the appropriation made by this Act as of the close of business on June 30, 2011 shall lapse to the credit of the Hawaii hurricane relief fund.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Restoration of Instructional Days; Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund; Appropriation
Description:
Makes an appropriation from the Hawaii hurricane relief fund to restore all remaining lost instructional days for the 2009-2010 school year; provided that the moneys shall only be released upon completion of negotiations of parties necessary to execute the restoration of instructional days.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
