HI HCR121

Requests the Office of the Auditor to conduct a financial and management audit of the State Educational Facilities Improvement Special Fund, established in 1989 to allocate general excise tax revenues for public school facility improvements.

Directs the auditor to submit findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2014.

Cites concerns that the Department of Education cannot always satisfactorily account for monies in and expended from the fund, despite being required to submit annual reports on project status and financial statements.

Notes that more than half of Hawaii's public schools are over 50 years old, with 16 percent exceeding 100 years old, creating significant maintenance costs and safety risks highlighted by the 2012 Farrington High School auditorium roof collapse.