Bill Text: HI SB683 | 2017 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii Senate Bill 683 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Proposing Amendments To Articles Vii And X Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Authorize The Legislature To Establish A Surcharge On Residential Investment Property And Visitor Accommodations To Increase Funding For Public Education.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-04-19 - Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-20-17 2:00PM in conference room 329. [SB683 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2017-SB683-Amended.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	683
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES VII AND X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A SURCHARGE ON RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY AND VISITOR ACCOMMODATIONS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's public schools are underfunded. Compared to school districts of similar size in other states, Hawaii ranks two hundred twenty-seventh in per-pupil funding before adjusting for cost of living. At $11,823 per student, Hawaii education spending trails major private schools, which average $15,173 in per-pupil spending. Hawaii also ranks last nationally in capital improvement expenditures for public schools, appropriating about $300 per pupil, compared to averages in other states of $1,200 to $1,500.

The legislature further finds that chronic underfunding of public schools undermines the State's goal of providing a public education to all of Hawaii's children. Specifically, insufficient education funding results in delayed repairs to school facilities; overheated classrooms; higher class sizes; a lack of adequate classroom supplies; elimination of arts, career, and technical education courses; budget cuts for special education and English language learner programs; and an increasing number of vacant teacher positions throughout the State.

The purpose of this Act is to propose amendments to the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to advance the State's goal of providing a public education for the children of Hawaii by authorizing the legislature to establish a surcharge on residential investment property and visitor accommodations.

SECTION 2. Article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"SURCHARGE ON RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY

Section Notwithstanding any provision of this constitution to the contrary, the State shall not be prohibited from establishing a surcharge on residential investment property pursuant to Article X, Section 1."

SECTION 3. Article X, section 1, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended to read as follows:

"PUBLIC EDUCATION

Section 1. The State shall provide for the establishment, support and control of a statewide system of public schools free from sectarian control, a state university, public libraries and such other educational institutions as may be deemed desirable, including physical facilities therefor. There shall be no discrimination in public educational institutions because of race, religion, sex or ancestry; nor shall public funds be appropriated for the support or benefit of any sectarian or nonsectarian private educational institution, except that proceeds of special purpose revenue bonds authorized or issued under section 12 of Article VII may be appropriated to finance or assist:

1. Not-for-profit corporations that provide early childhood education and care facilities serving the general public; and

2. Not-for-profit private nonsectarian and sectarian elementary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities.

The legislature may establish, as provided by law, a surcharge on residential investment property and visitor accommodations to fund a public education for all of Hawaii's children."

SECTION 4. The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:

"Shall the legislature be authorized to establish, as provided by law, a surcharge on residential investment property and visitor accommodations to fund a public education for all of Hawaii's children?"

SECTION 5. New constitutional material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This amendment shall take effect upon compliance of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

Report Title:

Public Education; Residential Investment Property Surcharge; Visitor Accommodation Surcharge; Constitutional Amendment

Description:

Proposes amendments to the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to advance the State's goal of providing a public education for the children of Hawaii by authorizing the legislature to establish, as provided by law, a surcharge on residential investment property and visitor accommodations. (SB683 HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.