REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

SR185

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

185

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR to conduct a comprehensive
performance and financial audit of the Department of Education'S capital
improvement project backlog
.

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WHEREAS, the
Department of Education manages the largest public infrastructure portfolio in
the State, including hundreds of public school campuses and facilities that
require ongoing maintenance, renovation, and construction; and

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WHEREAS, capital
improvement projects are critical to ensuring that public school facilities are
safe, functional, modern, and capable of supporting student learning and
educational outcomes; and

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WHEREAS, the
State has appropriated significant funding over time for school facility
planning, design, construction, and deferred maintenance projects; and

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WHEREAS, concerns
have been raised regarding the size and duration of the Department of Education's
capital improvement project backlog and the pace at which projects are
implemented and completed; and

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WHEREAS, policymakers
and the public would benefit from a comprehensive and transparent accounting of
the Department of Education's capital improvement project backlog, including
the status of projects and the amount of funding required to complete the
projects; and

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WHEREAS, the
Office of the Auditor is authorized to conduct performance and financial audits
of state agencies and programs to improve accountability, transparency, and
effectiveness in the use of public funds; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that the Auditor is requested to conduct a
comprehensive performance and financial audit of the Department of Education's capital
improvement project backlog; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the audit is requested to include but not be limited to:

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(1)
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A complete inventory of the backlog of all Department
of Education capital improvement projects;

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(2)
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The total funding that has been appropriated,
allocated, encumbered, obligated, or expended for each project;

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(3)
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The current status of each project, including
planning, design, procurement, construction, completion, or delay;

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(4)
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The original estimated project cost compared
with the most current cost estimate;

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(5)
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Any identified delays, cost overruns, or
administrative barriers affecting project delivery;

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(6)
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The projected funding necessary to complete
each project and to eliminate the existing backlog; and

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(7)
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Recommendations to improve capital improvement
project planning, budgeting, management, and execution within the Department of
Education; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of its findings and
recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no
later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027;
and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor,
Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of the Department of
Education, and Auditor.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
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DOE;
Auditor; CIP; Audits; Report