HI SCR121

Board of Education and State Public Charter School Commission must submit a report on increasing access to stable, suitable, and affordable facilities for public charter schools by 20 days prior to the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislature.

Report must assess why no unused state facilities have been identified despite state departments being mandated to conduct biennial surveys for facilities available to charter schools.

Report must propose policy changes to establish affirmative duty connecting charter schools with unused or underutilized facilities, and obtain an updated list of such facilities from the Department of Education.

Report must assess available federal funds not currently being accessed for eligible charter school facilities and evaluate financing options including tax-exempt bonds, credit enhancement programs, and revolving loan funds.

Report must coordinate with the School Facilities Authority to prioritize public charter school facilities, addressing the fact that over 12,000 students attend charter schools that currently hold classes in inadequate conditions including outdoors, on covered lanais, or in temporary structures.