STAND. COM. REP. NO. 235-04

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.B. No. 2815

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2815 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to help provide better school facilities for low- and moderate-income students by authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds to enable the Department of Education (DOE) to participate in the federal Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) program.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association submitted testimony in support of this bill. DOE supported the intent of this bill.

Your Committee finds that through the QZAB program, schools in areas with low-income populations can save significant amounts of money on interest costs associated with financing school renovations and repairs. Although the QZAB program cannot be used to support new construction, it can be used for:

(1) Renovating and repairing buildings;

(2) Investing in equipment and updated technology;

(3) Developing challenging curricula; and

(4) Training high-quality teachers.

The QZAB program can have a significant impact on student achievement by helping to create improved learning and working conditions. Your Committee finds that it is in the State's interest to provide the means to participate in this worthy program.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2815 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

 

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair