Informing the Legislature that on June 24, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB329 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 204).

2025 Regular Session

Act 204 empowers Hawaii's School Facilities Authority to improve public school projects, enhance educator housing, and allocate $2M for new facilities, benefiting students and communities.

Received.

#act204

Overview

Bill GM 1305 serves as a proclamation to inform the Hawaii State Legislature that on June 24, 2025, the Governor signed into law House Bill 329 (HB329 HD2 SD2 CD1), which is now known as Act 204. This act pertains to the School Facilities Authority and aims to enhance its operational efficiency and responsibilities.

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Act 204 is to clarify and expand the responsibilities of the School Facilities Authority (SFA) in Hawaii. The legislation seeks to improve the development, planning, and construction of public school projects, thereby ensuring that educational facilities meet the needs of students and educators.

Key Provisions

Act 204 introduces several significant changes to the statutes governing the School Facilities Authority:

Expanded Responsibilities:

The SFA will now oversee projects related to:
- Facilities for prekindergarten, preschool, child care, and early learning programs.
- Workforce housing for educators and education workers.
- Any public school development, planning, or construction tasks assigned by the legislature, governor, or board of education.

Recruitment and Hiring:

The SFA is authorized to utilize the Department of Education for certain recruitment and hiring responsibilities, streamlining the process for acquiring necessary personnel.

Public-Private Partnerships:

The SFA is empowered to partner with both public and private development agencies to facilitate the development of educational facilities, including those for early learning programs.

Funding Appropriations:

The act appropriates $2,000,000 for the fiscal year 2025-2026 for:
- Planning and construction of a new middle school in central Maui.
- Development of a workforce housing project in Mililani.

Impact

The enactment of Act 204 is expected to have a broad impact on various stakeholders, including:

Students and Families: Improved educational facilities and access to early learning programs.

Educators: Enhanced workforce housing options, potentially attracting and retaining qualified educators.

Local Communities: Development projects that may stimulate local economies and provide jobs.

Procedural Aspects

Date of Signing: June 24, 2025.

Legislative Status: The bill has been received and is now officially recognized as Act 204.

In summary, GM 1305 serves as a formal notification of the signing of Act 204, which aims to enhance the capabilities and responsibilities of the School Facilities Authority in Hawaii, ultimately benefiting the state's educational landscape.

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