THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2061

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to conservation.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to title 12, subtitle 6, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

No child left inside Grant program

     §   -1  Definitions.  As used in this chapter:

     "Chairperson" means chairperson of the board of land and natural resources.

     "Department" means department of land and natural resources.

     §   -2  No child left inside grant program; established.  (a)  There is established within the department the no child left inside grant program.  The no child left inside grant program shall be an outdoor education and recreation grant program subject to the availability of and appropriation of funds.

     (b)  The department shall implement the no child left inside grant program to provide resources and support to public agencies, private organizations, and individuals in establishing and maintaining outdoor education and recreation programs for children.  Eligible applicants to the no child left inside grant program shall include both existing and new programs that provide outdoor education and recreation programs for children in the State.  Any participating school programs shall be fully aligned with the academic learning requirements for science in the State.

     (c)  The no child left inside grant program shall be phased in beginning with schools and students with the greatest needs in suburban, rural, and urban areas in the State.  Any grant awarded shall be for outdoor education and recreation programs that focus on students who:

     (1)  Qualify for free or reduced-price lunch;

     (2)  Are most likely to fail academically; or

     (3)  Have the greatest potential to drop out of school.

     §   -3  No child left inside grant program; priorities and award criteria.  (a)  The chairperson shall set priorities and develop criteria for the awarding of grants to outdoor education and recreation programs.  Consideration shall be given to any programs that include one or more of the following:

     (1)  Contribution to the reduction of academic failure and drop out rates;

     (2)  Utilization of nationally accredited environmental education curriculum;

     (3)  Outdoor recreation and sound nutrition programming to contribute to healthy lifestyles;

     (4)  Use of a state park as a venue or the department's personnel as a resource;

     (5)  Maximizing the number of participants that can be served;

     (6)  Commitment to matching or in-kind resources; and

     (7)  Creation of public-private partnerships.

     (b)  Any public agency in the State may develop and implement outdoor education and recreation programs.

     (c)  The chairperson may make grants to public agencies and contract with any public or private agency or person to develop and implement outdoor education and recreation programs.

     §   -4  No child left inside grant program; advisory committee.  (a)  The chairperson shall create an advisory committee to assist and advise the department in the development and administration of the no child left inside grant program.  In addition to the chairperson, who shall serve as chair, the advisory committee shall comprise the:

     (1)  Superintendent of education or the superintendent's designee;

     (2)  Administrator of the department's division of forestry and wildlife;

     (3)  Respective county department heads with jurisdiction over county parks and recreation resources;

     (4)  Members of the business community invited to participate by the chairperson;

     (5)  Representatives of outdoor organizations with a focus on education invited to participate by the chairperson; and

     (6)  Any other representative deemed necessary to ensure representation of a cross-section of stakeholders, as invited to participate by the chairperson;

provided that the advisory committee shall include at least one member from each county.

     (b)  Advisory committee members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

     §   -5  No child left inside grant program special fund.  (a)  There is established within the treasury of the State the no child left inside grant program special fund, to be administered by the department.  The following moneys shall be deposited into the no child left inside grant program special fund:

     (1)  Appropriations by the legislature to the special fund;

     (2)  Gifts, donations, and grants received by the no child left inside grant program; and

     (3)  Moneys directed to the department for purposes of the no child left inside grant program from any other source, including revenues generated pursuant to the administration of this chapter.

All interest earned or accrued on moneys deposited into the no child left inside grant program special fund shall become part of the fund.

     (b)  Moneys in the no child left inside grant program special fund shall be used for the following purposes:

     (1)  Awarding of grants pursuant to this chapter; and

     (2)  Administration of the no child left inside grant program pursuant to this chapter."

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Department of Land and Natural Resources; No Child Left Inside Program

 

Description:

Establishes the no child left inside grant program for the awarding of grants promoting outdoor education and recreation programs.  Establishes the no child left inside grant program special fund.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.