Bill Text: HI SB2349 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Department of Education; Air Conditioning; Solar Power Systems; Pilot Program; Appropriation; General Obligation Bonds ($)
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-09 - The committee on EDU deferred the measure. [SB2349 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-SB2349-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2349 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that an electricity grid is not always an economical or practical option in developing countries, leaving large areas and populations without a modern electrical grid system. However, developing countries often have abundant renewable energy resources. Aid organizations have long tapped into solar power to generate electricity to support refrigeration without electrical backup. These refrigeration units operate during the day, rely on ice to maintain cooling at night, and operate completely off the electrical grid.
The legislature further finds that similar cost-effective technology and renewable energy resources may be used in the State to provide air conditioning in public school classrooms during daytime hours. Many public school facilities do not have the electrical wiring that is necessary to support traditional air-conditioning systems. Much of the cost of air conditioning schools is due to the cost of upgrading schools' electrical wiring to support backing up air-conditioning systems. That cost is prohibitive and leaves students and teachers suffering in conditions that interfere with learning.
However, classrooms only need air conditioning during the day. Therefore, classrooms may be cooled exclusively through the use of an off-grid, direct current, exclusively solar powered system, without having to upgrade the electrical wiring for the school. Even on cloudy days, solar power systems will decrease the humidity in a classroom and make a classroom more comfortable. Off-grid, exclusively solar powered air-conditioning systems are a viable, cost-effective alternative to traditional air-conditioning systems.
The purpose of this Act is to require the department of education to implement a pilot program to provide ten public school classrooms with air conditioning using an off-grid, exclusively solar powered system at each school.
SECTION 2. (a) The department of education shall examine solar power systems that are used in developing countries and implement a pilot program to provide ten public school classrooms with air conditioning using a solar power system at each school; provided that each solar power system is powered by solar or photovoltaic panels and not connected to the electrical grid.
(b) The department of education shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.
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 2016-2017 for the department of education to implement a pilot program to provide ten public school classrooms with air conditioning using a solar power system at each school; provided that each solar power system is powered by solar or photovoltaic panels and not connected to the electrical grid.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2016-2017 to the department of education to implement a pilot program to provide ten public school classrooms with air conditioning using a solar power system at each school; provided that each solar power system is powered by solar or photovoltaic panels and not connected to the electrical grid.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation in section 4 that are unencumbered as of June 30, 2018, shall lapse as of that date.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Department of Education; Air Conditioning; Solar Power Systems; Pilot Program; Appropriation; General Obligation Bonds
Description:
Requires the department of education to implement a pilot program to provide ten public school classrooms with air conditioning using a solar power system at each school; provided that each solar power system is powered by solar or photovoltaic panels and not connected to the electrical grid. Authorizes general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for the pilot program.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
