HI HB372

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 reports due 20 days before each legislative session.

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

Study must identify variables associated with high-quality education, estimate additional funding needed for equal educational opportunity, compare Hawaii teacher salaries to similar districts, and assess funding equity across the public school system.

Department of Education must submit the consultant's study and findings to the legislature by 20 days prior to the 2023 regular legislative session.

Appropriates unspecified sums from general revenues for fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 to the State Auditor and Department of Education to carry out audit and study requirements; effective date July 1, 2050.