HB 902: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

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 Hawaiian Electric Company's Planned Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program, implemented on July 1, 2024, aims to reduce wildfire risks by proactively shutting off power in high-risk areas during specific weather conditions.  While the PSPS program and other similar programs are critical for public safety, their implementation pose significant operational challenges for public schools.  Currently, fifteen department of education schools and one public charter school are identified as vulnerable to PSPS events.  These power outages may disrupt essential services, including communication systems, water access, meal programs, and accommodations for students and staff reliant on electricity-dependent medical devices or assistive technologies.

     The legislature further finds that maintaining school operations during PSPS events is vital to ensuring educational continuity, providing access to meals, and sustaining a sense of normalcy for students.  This is especially critical for students in remote or rural areas, where schools often serve as essential community hubs.  To meet this need, schools must prepare for prolonged power outages by implementing measures such as backup power solutions, access to shelf-stable food and clean water, and fire safety protocols.

     The legislature notes that the devastating wildfire in Lahaina in August 2023 underscored the importance of preparedness and inter-agency coordination in mitigating the impacts of emergencies.  The United States Department of Education's after-action report highlighted areas for improvement, many of which align with the challenges posed by the PSPS program.

     The legislature also notes that the department of education has implemented measures to support recovery and resilience for Maui schools affected by the Lahaina wildfire.  These include monthly working group meetings to address fire mitigation, hazardous brush clearance, and community engagement.  Funds from the federal Project School Emergency Response to Violence grant have been allocated for critical recovery efforts, including mental health services, transportation for displaced students, and substitute teachers to support staff well-being.

     The legislature recognizes that lessons learned from the Lahaina wildfire and the department of education's subsequent actions provide a strong foundation for addressing the challenges of the PSPS program.  However, additional funding is essential to implement long-term solutions, such as establishing regional hubs equipped with emergency supplies, procuring backup power sources, and providing comprehensive training for staff.  These efforts will ensure schools can remain operational during PSPS events, safeguarding the well-being of students and staff while maintaining access to essential services.  The legislature believes that further insight is needed on ways to support schools that may be impacted by the PSPS program and other similar programs, including:

     (1)  Assessing the viability of using alternative power solutions, such as generators and solar battery systems, for planned safety power shutoff identified schools;

     (2)  Establishing regional resource hubs equipped with essential supplies, including water, shelf-stable food, and backup communication tools, to ensure continuity of operations at and schools affected during power outages;

     (3)  Developing contingency plans to enable schools to remain open and safe during power outages and providing related training; and

     (4)  Enhancing fire safety measures and accommodations for students and employees with electricity-dependent needs.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of education to conduct a study on methods that will help support schools impacted by electric utilities' planned public safety power shutoff program.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the department of education to conduct a study on methods to support department schools that may be impacted by electric utilities' planned public safety power shutoff program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Department of Education; Planned Public Safety Power Shutoff; Hawaiian Electric Company; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to conduct a study on methods to support department schools that may be impacted by electric utilities' planned public safety power shutoff program.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

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

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 Hawaiian Electric Company's Planned Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program, implemented on July 1, 2024, aims to reduce wildfire risks by proactively shutting off power in high-risk areas during specific weather conditions.  While the PSPS program is critical for public safety, the program's implementation poses significant operational challenges for public schools.  Currently, fifteen department of education schools and one public charter school are identified as vulnerable to PSPS events.  These power outages may disrupt essential services, including communication systems, water access, meal programs, and accommodations for students and staff reliant on electricity-dependent medical devices or assistive technologies.

     The legislature further finds that maintaining school operations during PSPS events is vital to ensuring educational continuity, providing access to meals, and sustaining a sense of normalcy for students.  This is especially critical for students in remote or rural areas, where schools often serve as essential community hubs.  To meet this need, schools must prepare for prolonged power outages by implementing measures such as backup power solutions, access to shelf-stable food and clean water, and fire safety protocols.

     The legislature notes that the devastating wildfire in Lahaina in August 2023 underscored the importance of preparedness and inter-agency coordination in mitigating the impacts of emergencies.  The United States Department of Education's after-action report highlighted areas for improvement, many of which align with the challenges posed by the PSPS program.

     The legislature also notes that the department of education has implemented measures to support recovery and resilience for Maui schools affected by the Lahaina wildfire.  These include monthly working group meetings to address fire mitigation, hazardous brush clearance, and community engagement.  Funds from the federal Project School Emergency Response to Violence grant have been allocated for critical recovery efforts, including mental health services, transportation for displaced students, and substitute teachers to support staff well-being.

     The legislature recognizes that lessons learned from the Lahaina wildfire and the department of education's subsequent actions provide a strong foundation for addressing the challenges of the PSPS program.  However, additional funding is essential to implement long-term solutions, such as establishing regional hubs equipped with emergency supplies, procuring backup power sources, and providing comprehensive training for staff.  These efforts will ensure schools can remain operational during PSPS events, safeguarding the well-being of students and staff while maintaining access to essential services.  The legislature believes that further insight is needed on ways to support schools that may be impacted by the PSPS program, including:

     (1)  Assessing the viability of using alternative power solutions, such as generators and solar battery systems, for planned safety power shutoff identified schools;

     (2)  Establishing regional resource hubs equipped with essential supplies, including water, shelf-stable food, and backup communication tools, to ensure continuity of operations at and schools affected during power outages;

     (3)  Developing contingency plans to enable schools to remain open and safe during power outages and providing related training; and

     (4)  Enhancing fire safety measures and accommodations for students and employees with electricity-dependent needs.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of education to conduct a study on methods that will help support schools impacted by the Hawaiian Electric Company's Planned Public Safety Power Shutoff program.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the department of education to conduct a study on methods to support department schools that may be impacted by the Hawaiian Electric Company's Planned Public Safety Power Shutoff program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Department of Education; Planned Public Safety Power Shutoff; Hawaiian Electric Company; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to conduct a study on methods to support department schools that may be impacted by the Hawaiian Electric Company's Planned Public Safety Power Shutoff program.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  469

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 902

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 902 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Education to conduct a study on methods that will help support schools impacted by the Hawaiian Electric Company's Planned Public Safety Power Shutoff program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Public Utilities Commission; and Hawaiian Electric.

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaiian Electric Company's Planned Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Program, implemented on July 1, 2024, aims to reduce wildfire risks by proactively shutting off power in high-risk areas during specific weather conditions.  While the PSPS Program is critical for public safety, the program's implementation poses significant operational challenges for public schools and may disrupt essential services at the schools.  Currently, fifteen Department of Education schools and one public charter school are identified as vulnerable to PSPS events.

     Your Committee believes that maintaining school operations during PSPS events is vital to ensuring educational continuity, providing access to meals, and sustaining a sense of normalcy for students.  This measure will provide funding for a study that will give further insight on ways to support schools that may be impacted by the PSPS Program.

     Your Committee notes that electric utility public safety power shutoffs may affect parts of Kauai County and believes that the study as required by this measure should encompass counties that are not provided electricity by the Hawaiian Electric Company.

     Your Committee has accordingly amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the appropriation to the Department of Education shall be used to conduct a study on methods to support Department schools that may be impacted by electric utilities' planned public safety power shutoff program;

     (2)  Amending the preamble to reflect its amended purpose;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     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. 902, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 902, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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