HI SB2541

Establishes a temporary nine-member Public School Realignment and Closure Commission within the Department of Accounting and General Services to evaluate public schools for potential consolidation, realignment, or closure based on enrollment data, facility conditions, operational costs, and equity considerations.

Requires the commission to submit a final report with recommendations to the governor by October 1, 2027, followed by an all-or-nothing approval process where neither the governor nor legislature may amend the recommendations.

Modeled after the federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process to address Hawaii's projected steepest decline in high school graduates nationally over the next 16 years, while school numbers have increased approximately 20% since 1961 despite similar enrollment levels.

Mandates implementation of approved recommendations by July 1, 2028, with closed school properties transferred to the School Facilities Authority for disposition and proceeds deposited into the school facilities special fund.

Appropriates $100,000 in general funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 to support commission operations, with the commission set to dissolve on June 30, 2028.