STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1092

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 1311

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 1311, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education to:

(1) Establish locally sourced food and zero-emission vehicle goals as part of the Sustainable Schools Initiative; and

(2) Submit an annual report to the Legislature.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from PlanIt; Hawai‘i Youth Climate Coalition; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association; Big Island Electric Vehicle Association; 350Hawaii.org; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Pacific American Foundation; Climate Protectors Hawai‘i; Our Revolution Hawaii; Hawai‘i Farm to School Hui; Sustainable Energy Hawaii; and nine individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Hawaii State Energy Office.

Your Committees find that Hawaii imports more than 6,000,000 pounds of food on a daily basis at a cost of more than $3,000,000,000 per year. An increase in locally sourced proteins and produce would simultaneously improve food quality and public health, boost the local economy, and improve overall food sustainability. Your Committees further find that traditional internal combustion school bus engines emit exhaust, which children breathe in while riding buses and sitting in traffic, and can increase asthma and other health problems. In contrast, electric school buses provide potential benefits to the quality of student health, the environment, utility infrastructure, and cost savings. This measure will engage students in sustainable living through learning about food waste management and provide students with zero emission transportation in the future.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Energy & Environmental Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1311, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1311, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair

____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair