SR 132: Urging THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION and University of hawaii at manoa TO adopt energy SAVINGS performance contracting as a primary strategy to address deferred maintenance and infrastructure modernization and improve energy efficiency statewide.

SENATE RESOLUTION

Urging THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION and University of hawaii at manoa TO adopt energy SAVINGS performance contracting as a primary strategy to address deferred maintenance and infrastructure modernization and improve energy efficiency statewide.

     WHEREAS, the State continues to face significant challenges related to aging public infrastructure and escalating deferred maintenance costs; and

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education currently faces a deferred maintenance backlog exceeding $2.4 billion, placing increasing strain on limited public resources and impacting the quality of learning environments for students and educators; and

     WHEREAS, despite substantial requests for major repair and maintenance funding for fiscal biennium 2025–2027, traditional capital improvement and repair approaches have proven insufficient, inefficient, and costly to taxpayers; and

     WHEREAS, sections 36-41 and 196-30, Hawaii Revised Statutes, authorize the use of energy performance contracting and energy savings performance contracting respectively, which are innovative financing models that enable government entities to implement energy efficiency and infrastructure improvements without upfront capital investment; and

     WHEREAS, under the energy savings performance contracting model, project costs are funded through guaranteed energy savings, thereby eliminating the need for significant legislative appropriations while ensuring fiscal accountability; and

     WHEREAS, energy savings performance contract projects typically include comprehensive upgrades, such as energy-efficient lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, water conservation measures, and renewable energy integration, all of which contribute to long-term operational savings and environmental sustainability; and

     WHEREAS, the energy savings performance contracting model has been successfully implemented by the Department of Transportation and University of Hawaii Community Colleges, with projected savings approaching $1 billion over the life of the implemented contracts and the effective elimination of their deferred maintenance backlogs; and

     WHEREAS, recommendations to adopt energy savings performance contracting methodologies were presented to the Department of Education as early as 2008, demonstrating that these approaches optimize building systems, reduce lifecycle costs, and enhance facility performance; and

     WHEREAS, transitioning to energy savings performance contracting in coordination with emerging oversight structures such as the School Facilities Authority presents a strategic opportunity to modernize school infrastructure and improve long-term fiscal sustainability; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Education and University of Hawaii at Manoa are urged to adopt energy savings performance contracting as a primary strategy to address deferred maintenance and infrastructure modernization and improve energy efficiency statewide; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education and University of Hawaii at Manoa are encouraged to collaborate with relevant state agencies and qualified energy service companies to identify, develop, and implement energy savings performance contract projects that maximize cost savings, improve facility conditions, and enhance sustainability outcomes; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education and University of Hawaii at Manoa are requested to submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027 detailing planned or implemented energy savings performance contract projects, projected savings, and timelines for reducing deferred maintenance backlogs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Comptroller, and President of the University of Hawaii System.

Report Title: 

Department of Education; Mental Health Related Absences

SENATE RESOLUTION

Urging THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION and University of hawaii at manoa TO adopt energy SAVINGS performance contracting pursuant to section 36-41, hawaii revised statutes, as a primary strategy to address deferred maintenance and infrastructure modernization and improve energy efficiency statewide.

     WHEREAS, the State continues to face significant challenges related to aging public infrastructure and escalating deferred maintenance costs; and

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education currently faces a deferred maintenance backlog exceeding $2.4 billion, placing increasing strain on limited public resources and impacting the quality of learning environments for students and educators; and

     WHEREAS, despite substantial requests for major repair and maintenance funding for fiscal biennium 2025–2027, traditional capital improvement and repair approaches have proven insufficient, inefficient, and costly to taxpayers; and

     WHEREAS, section 36-41, Hawaii Revised Statutes, authorizes the use of energy savings performance contracting, an innovative financing model that enables government entities to implement energy efficiency and infrastructure improvements without upfront capital investment; and

     WHEREAS, under the energy savings performance contracting model, project costs are funded through guaranteed energy savings, thereby eliminating the need for significant legislative appropriations while ensuring fiscal accountability; and

     WHEREAS, energy savings performance contract projects typically include comprehensive upgrades, such as energy‑efficient lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, water conservation measures, and renewable energy integration, all of which contribute to long-term operational savings and environmental sustainability; and

     WHEREAS, the energy savings performance contracting model has been successfully implemented by the Department of Transportation and University of Hawaii Community Colleges, with projected savings approaching $1 billion over the life of the implemented contracts and the effective elimination of their deferred maintenance backlogs; and

     WHEREAS, recommendations to adopt energy savings performance contracting methodologies were presented to the Department of Education as early as 2008, demonstrating that these approaches optimize building systems, reduce lifecycle costs, and enhance facility performance; and

     WHEREAS, transitioning to energy savings performance contracting in coordination with emerging oversight structures such as the School Facilities Authority presents a strategic opportunity to modernize school infrastructure and improve long‑term fiscal sustainability; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Education and University of Hawaii at Manoa are urged to adopt energy savings performance contracting, as authorized pursuant to section 36-41, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as a primary strategy to address deferred maintenance and infrastructure modernization and improve energy efficiency statewide; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education and University of Hawaii at Manoa are encouraged to collaborate with relevant state agencies and qualified energy service companies to identify, develop, and implement energy savings performance contract projects that maximize cost savings, improve facility conditions, and enhance sustainability outcomes; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education and University of Hawaii at Manoa are requested to submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027 detailing planned or implemented energy savings performance contract projects, projected savings, and timelines for reducing deferred maintenance backlogs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Comptroller, and President of the University of Hawaii System.

Report Title: 

DOE; UH; Energy Savings Performance Contracting; Deferred Maintenance

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STUDY THE IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH–RELATED ABSENCES ON STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND WELL-BEING.

     WHEREAS, student mental health is a critical component of overall well-being and academic success; and

     WHEREAS, many students experience mental and behavioral health challenges that may affect their ability to attend school regularly; and

     WHEREAS, untreated or unaddressed mental health needs can contribute to chronic absenteeism, declining academic performance, and reduced student engagement; and

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education (DOE) currently tracks student attendance pursuant to Board of Education policy 106-3 and the state compulsory attendance law; and

     WHEREAS, within the current DOE system chronic absenteeism can trigger intervention efforts; and

     WHEREAS, the current DOE system does not disaggregate attendance data to track whether a student's absence is linked to a behavioral or mental health need; and

     WHEREAS, most Hawaii public schools have attendance policies that generally recognize physical illness, medical appointments, family bereavement, or authorized school activities as a reason for an excused absence, but do not explicitly categorize absences for mental health reasons as excused; and

     WHEREAS, understanding how frequently students miss school due to mental health needs and how such absences affect attendance patterns and academic outcomes could help inform future education policy in the State; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Education is requested to conduct a study on the impact of mental health–related absences on student attendance and well-being; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study is requested to include:

1. An analysis of how often students in the public school system miss school due to behavioral or mental health concerns;

2. A review of policies in other states that recognize or allow mental health–related absences for students;

3. An evaluation of whether recognizing mental health–related absences as excused absences may improve student attendance, well-being, or academic outcomes; and

4. Any recommendations for administrative, policy, or legislative changes the Department of Education deems appropriate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Education.

Report Title: 

Department of Education; Mental Health Related Absences