STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2863

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2548

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2548, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to modernize and improve the State's school facilities management systems.

Specifically, the measure requires and appropriates moneys for the School Facilities Authority to establish geographically based capital improvement project districts to provide for the localized management of project design, construction, and administration related to deferred maintenance.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the School Facilities Authority and United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO.

Your Committee finds that a substantial backlog of deferred maintenance has plagued the Department of Education and adversely impacted the State's schools. Your Committee also finds that a decentralized, district‑based model for managing deferred maintenance projects, as proposed by this measure, will help alleviate this situation by improving efficiency, accountability, and response times.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2548, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair