Bill > SB896

This bill requires the Department of Education (DOE) to submit detailed annual reports to the Legislature about its capital improvement projects (CIP), which are projects to build or improve facilities, and to post these reports online in a searchable format. These reports must include information like project titles, locations, funding amounts, completion dates, reasons for delays, cost overruns, and the status of projects, as well as data on deferred maintenance, the number of staff managing facilities, vacant positions, and consultant reliance. Additionally, any CIP funds that have been set aside for over five years without construction starting must be specifically explained or could be taken back by the legislature. The bill also establishes a five-year pilot program, starting in 2026 and ending in 2031, allowing the Superintendent of Education to hire qualified professionals for vacant positions in the Office of Facilities and Operations as exempt from Hawaii's Civil Service Laws, meaning they wouldn't have to go through the standard civil service hiring process, to improve efficiency in areas like construction project management and data systems, provided certain conditions are met, including a plan for real-time project tracking and reporting on the impact of these hires.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=896&year=2026