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.
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
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
WHEREAS, the State has appropriated significant funding over time for school facility planning, design, construction, and deferred maintenance projects; and
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
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
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,
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
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the audit is requested to include but not be limited to:
(1) A complete inventory of the backlog of all Department of Education capital improvement projects;
(2) The total funding that has been appropriated, allocated, encumbered, obligated, or expended for each project;
(3) The current status of each project, including planning, design, procurement, construction, completion, or delay;
(4) The original estimated project cost compared with the most current cost estimate;
(5) Any identified delays, cost overruns, or administrative barriers affecting project delivery;
(6) The projected funding necessary to complete each project and to eliminate the existing backlog; and
(7) Recommendations to improve capital improvement project planning, budgeting, management, and execution within the Department of Education; and
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
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:
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Report Title:
DOE; Auditor; CIP; Audits; Report