Report Title:

Classroom Learning Materials

 

Description:

Requires funding for classroom learning materials, such as textbooks, to be considered standard workload increase items when planning and budgeting for public schools. Appropriates funds to replace lost or destroyed classroom learning materials, and to repair damaged or broken classroom learning materials.

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

6

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to classroom learning materials.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that access to up-to-date and appropriate classroom learning materials are necessary if students are to keep up with current advancements and developments locally, nationally, and worldwide. According to the board of education, however, sixty-three secondary schools reported needing an additional 134,274 textbooks to meet their requirements. Funds for classroom learning materials are limited because they can be used legitimately by schools for other purposes.

The purpose of this Act is to require funding for classroom learning materials, such as textbooks, to be considered standard workload increase items when planning and budgeting for public schools.

SECTION 2. Chapter 37, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§37- Budgeting for classroom learning materials. (a) Funding for classroom learning materials, such as textbooks, shall be considered standard workload increase items when planning and budgeting for public schools; provided that the full cost of replacing lost or destroyed classroom learning materials and of repairing damaged or broken classroom learning materials, shall be included in the proposed budget.

(b) The director of finance shall consult with the superintendent of education to carry out the purposes of this section.

(c) This section shall not apply to the University of Hawaii."

SECTION 3. Section 37-71, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:

"(e) The proposed budget shall include:

(1) A statement of the percentage differences between the current biennium recommendations and the previous biennium appropriations for education programs. The information shall be displayed by programs or groups of programs, with corresponding amounts and percentage differences. If any component of an education program is added or removed, the governor shall provide an estimate of how the addition or removal affects the current biennium recommendations;

(2) A statement of the difference between the total amount proposed for the current biennium and the total amount expended in the previous biennium for education programs per pupil; and

(3) Other financial statements, information, and data that in the opinion of the governor are necessary or desirable in order to make known in all practical detail the programs, program plans, and financial conditions of the State.

As used in this subsection, the term "education programs" [include] includes instructional, personnel, transportation, facilities, facilities repair and maintenance, and other programs deemed appropriate by the department of education. The term also includes classroom learning materials, such as textbooks, for instructional programs."

SECTION 4. 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 2001-2002, to replace lost or destroyed classroom learning materials, and to repair damaged or broken classroom learning materials.

SECTION 5. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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