Bill Text: HI SB2543 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii Senate Bill 2543 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating To Sustainable Schools.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-02-18 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [SB2543 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-SB2543-Amended.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2543
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that traditional internal combustion school bus engines emit exhaust, which children breathe in while riding buses and sitting in traffic, and can potentially increase asthma and other health problems. In contrast, electric school buses provide potential benefits to the quality of student health, the environment, utility infrastructure, and cost savings. Additionally, electric buses have lower operational, maintenance, and labor costs than comparable buses powered by internal combustion engines. The use and operation of green forms of transportation also align with Hawaii's established goals of achieving a carbon-negative economy by 2045.

The legislature further finds, however, that the transition to zero-emission transportation cannot be accomplished overnight. Any such transition must limit or avoid disruptions to critical transportation services provided by or through the department of education to students.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of education to conduct a feasibility study regarding the transition to zero-emission transportation in Hawaii's public schools by 2030.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of education shall conduct a feasibility study regarding the transition to zero-emission vehicles for all school-related transportation, including any contracts for school bus services and other transportation services provided or utilized by the department of education, by January 1, 2030 (transition).

(b) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023, the department of education shall submit a report to the legislature that shall include the following:

(1) An assessment of current transportation contracts and vehicle inventory, and impacts thereon associated with the transition;

(2) The financial implications of the transition;

(3) Plans and recommendations, including proposed legislation, for effecting the transition;

(4) Any anticipated challenges or barriers to effecting the transition; and

(5) The department of education's progress, if any, toward the transition.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Department of Education; Electric Transportation; Feasibility Study

Description:

Requires the Department of Education to conduct a feasibility study regarding the transition to zero-emission transportation in Hawaii's public schools by 2030. Requires a report to the Legislature. (SD1)

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