HI SB856

Requires the State Auditor to conduct annual operational audits of the Department of Education's academic and financial plans, assessing efficiency and effectiveness from budget planning through student outcomes, with findings reported to the legislature no later than 20 days before each regular session.

Directs the Department of Education to contract with a third-party consultant specializing in school finance to study the adequacy of education funding in Hawaii using evidence-based methods.

Requires the adequacy study to identify variables associated with high-quality education, estimate additional funding needed for equal educational opportunity, compare Hawaii teacher salaries with similar districts, and assess funding equity across Hawaii public schools.

Mandates the Department of Education submit the study and findings to the legislature no later than 20 days before the 2021 regular session.

Appropriates unspecified funds from general revenues for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 to the Office of the Auditor for the operational audit and to the Department of Education for the third-party consultant study.