HB1935 HD1

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1935
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AIR CONDITIONING IN SCHOOLS.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that vog, or volcanic smog, is a form of air pollution that occurs when volcanic emissions react with moisture, oxygen, and sunlight. When volcanic eruptions occur on Hawaii island, prevailing wind patterns typically push vog emissions westward, where they accumulate over north and south Kona. Depending on the level of volcanic activity, vog can affect air quality to the point where it poses significant health risks. Vog can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, and can penetrate airways and the lungs, which can trigger respiratory distress and induce asthma symptoms. Other common symptoms of vog exposure include headaches, sore throat, flu-like symptoms, and lethargy. Studies about the effects of vog on residents of Hawaii island show correlations between vog exposure and increased rates of high blood pressure, acute bronchitis, acute airway problems, asthma exacerbations and respiratory illness. Children are generally more sensitive to vog than adults because children have higher respiratory rates than adults, meaning they take more breaths per minute. When vog levels are high, the public health recommendations to reduce exposure includes staying indoors with windows closed, using an air filter, and avoiding outdoor activities that cause heavy breathing. However, in schools without air conditioning, it can be very difficult to follow these recommendations and retain a healthy learning environment at the same time. In addition, hot temperatures negatively impact the ability of students to learn, and west Hawaii island, and the Kona area in particular, consistently report some of the hottest temperatures in the State. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has added additional challenges, where the recommendations to stay outdoors or keep windows open directly conflict with the recommendations regarding vog.

The legislature further finds that the installation of air conditioning units in west Hawaii island classrooms would create safer, more comfortable, and more effective learning environments that would better protect students from vog and the spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens. The addition of filtration would help to mitigate both issues.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the installation of air conditioning and filtration units in classrooms in west Hawaii island that have the necessary electrical infrastructure to support it.

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the purpose of financing capital improvement projects to be expended by the department of education as follows:

1. Kahakai elementary school, Hawaii

Plans, design, construction, and equipment to install air conditioning and filtration units in two classrooms and the cafeteria.

Total funding $

2. Kealakehe elementary school, Hawaii

Plans, design, construction, and equipment to install air conditioning and filtration units in fifty classrooms.

Total funding $

3. Kealakehe intermediate school, Hawaii

Plans, design, construction, and equipment to install air conditioning and filtration units in forty classrooms.

Total funding $

4. Kealakehe high school, Hawaii

Plans, design, construction, and equipment to install air conditioning and filtration units in ninety classrooms.

Total funding $

SECTION 3. The appropriations made for the capital improvement projects authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriations are made; provided that all moneys from the appropriations that are unencumbered as of June 30, 2024, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.