THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2548
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the centralized system for managing school capital improvement projects within the department of education has contributed to a substantial backlog of deferred maintenance. This structure has resulted in delays, reduced responsiveness to the needs of individual school communities, and challenges in managing project timelines and budgets.

The legislature further finds that the school facilities authority was established pursuant to Act 72, Session Laws of Hawaii 2020 (Act 72), as a specialized agency focused exclusively on the development and improvement of public school facilities. Act 72 intended the consolidation of facilities-related expertise within the authority, including the transfer of certain functions and positions from the department of education. That consolidation has not yet been implemented.

The legislature also finds that a decentralized, district‑based model for managing deferred maintenance projects will improve efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness. Localizing management within geographically based districts will allow decisions to be made closer to the schools they affect and provide a phased framework for the authority to assume broader capital improvement responsibilities in the future.

The purpose of this Act is to modernize the State's school facilities management by requiring the school facilities authority to establish geographically based capital improvement project districts for the localized management of deferred maintenance.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VI, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A-   Deferred maintenance project districts; established. (a) The authority shall establish geographically based capital improvement project districts to provide for the localized management of project design, construction, and administration related to deferred maintenance. The boundaries of these districts shall, to the extent practicable, align with the school districts established for administrative purposes by the department.

(b) Each district shall be responsible for:

(1) Providing localized management and oversight of deferred maintenance project design and construction;

(2) Administering project budgets and managing project schedules to ensure timely and cost-effective completion; and

(3) Serving as the primary local point of contact for public schools within the district regarding deferred maintenance needs and projects.

(c) The authority shall assign dedicated staff, including a district facilities manager, to each district to carry out the functions described in this section."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the purposes of establishing geographically based capital improvement project districts pursuant to this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the school facilities authority for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

School Facilities Authority; Department of Education; Deferred Maintenance; Districts; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish geographically based capital improvement project districts for the localized management of deferred maintenance. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

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