STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1384-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2024

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2024, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the School Facilities Authority to enter into:

(A) Partnerships for the design, financing, or maintenance of any project, including public charter school facilities and projects on privately-owned land; and

(B) Public-private partnerships for the development of public school facilities, including facilities at public charter schools;

(2) Require the School Facilities Authority to enter into public-private partnerships to develop three new public schools through a pilot program; and

(3) Appropriate funds for the pilot program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the School Facilities Authority; State Public Charter School Commission; Hawaiʻi Technology Academy; HawaiiKidsCAN; and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO.

Your Committee finds that the availability and condition of public school facilities, including facilities serving public charter schools, directly affect student learning, safety, and educational equity. Your Committee further finds that many communities across the State continue to experience demonstrated need for new or improved school facilities. Your Committee believes that examining alternative delivery methods through a pilot program that utilizes public-private partnerships in the development of school facilities will accelerate the development of needed educational facilities while maintaining public accountability and oversight.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language that prohibits the development of a school for the pilot project on land owned or controlled by the Department of Education without the permission of the Department;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2024, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2024, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair