SB2879

Report Title:

School fees

Description:

Increases percentage of rental fees a school may keep on deposit for its own use. Repeals sunset date of pilot project.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2879
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the allowing of schools to retain rental fees.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the pilot project initiated by Act 256, Session Laws of Hawaii 2000, was a successful project. The project provided school principals a unique avenue to generate needed extra funds through rental of school facilities. Seventy percent of those funds generated would remain with the school and the school for any number of projects or programs could in turn, uses those funds. The legislature also finds that this project is scheduled to sunset at the end of this fiscal year.

With projected budget shortfalls in the foreseeable future, multi-million dollar repair and maintenance backlogs at our public schools, and possible budget cuts for the Department of Education, it is in the interest of the State, the schools, and all those who benefit from public schools, to give schools the opportunity to continue or make use of this funding mechanism. The purpose of this Act is to increase the percentage of rental funds a school may retain for itself and to repeal the sunset date of the pilot project to make the funding opportunity permanent.

SECTION 2. Act 256, Session Laws of Hawaii 2000, is amended by amending section 1 to read as follows:

"SECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, there is established a pilot project at any public school whereby [seventy] eighty per cent of the net receipts collected by a school from rental fees for usage of facilities by private organizations or individuals shall be deposited with that school for its own use rather than deposited into the State's general fund. These moneys include but are not limited to classroom, parking lot, auditorium, and dining room rental fees.

The remaining [thirty] twenty per cent of the net receipts shall be allocated to the district office to assist schools that service type 1 and type 2 users. Type 1 users are organizations such as the Parent, Teacher, Student Association; school community-based councils; DOE inservice workshops; A+ programs; and primary and general elections. Type 2 users are organizations such as federal, state, and county agencies; non-profit community organizations; youth athletic teams; private pre-school and after school programs endorsed by the DOE; public hearings and meetings; and other educational or recreational activities approved by the school where no fees are assessed or collected.

(b) Rental fees collected, deposited, and expended at a school shall be:

(1) In accordance with the department of education's rules; and

(2) Approved by the department of education.

(c) Each school shall set its own rental fee schedule and shall not be subject to the department of education's fee schedule or rental fees, for usage of facilities during the pilot project; provided that type 1 and type 2 users shall be subject to the department of education's fee schedule. A school may reduce rental fees in view of any improvements made by a renter."

SECTION 3. Act 256, Session Laws of Hawaii 2000, is amended by repealing section 3.

["SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall be repealed on June 30, 2002."]

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________