Text of HI HB 1210 (2023)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B. NO. 1210 THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to alternative sports leagues for high school students. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the healthy development of the state's keiki is a top priority. Over the years, there has been much attention focused on educational programs as well as tangential and related programs such as after school programs. Youth sports play a huge role in the social and physical development of many keiki in this state. Every weekend there are many different sports leagues taking part in every area of the state. These leagues are more than just about keiki having fun, this is a way for communities to bond and come together for the development of The legislature also finds that there is an unacceptable amount of drugs and opioids prevalent in the community, particularly in West Oahu. These communities have been ravaged by crystal methamphetamine, illegal marijuana, cocaine, fentanyl, among other substances. The legislature further finds that with the population shift over the last decade which has resulted in a swelling of the populations in West Oahu, there has been an increase in the enrollment in West Oahu public schools. With larger enrollments, more students are getting cut from high school sports teams, and thus are left with more free time on their hands. Unfortunately, many students seem to use this time for activities that are not beneficial to their development as wholesome, healthy members of society. Specifically, there seems to be an increasing prevalence of drug use among high school children. In order to foster positive environments and the healthy development of children, a new sports league is needed to accommodate the growing number of children who are unable to join a high school sports team, regardless of whether the school is public, private, charter, or home school. The purpose of this Act is to create and alternative sports league for high school students in West Oahu. SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§302A- Alternative sports league. (a) There is created under the department of education an alternative sports league program for high school students in West Oahu, an area which encompasses Waipahu through Makaua and through the south shore communities of Iroquois Point through Kapolei. (b) This alternative sports league program shall be available to any student attending any high school that is geographically contained within the above listed area, without regard to whether the high school is public, private, charter, or home school. (c) The department of education shall organize and administer this program. (d) Sports to be included in this program include but are not limited to football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, tennis, swimming, water polo, cross country, softball, and track & field. (e) This sports league shall have teams divided by biological gender for each sport. (f) The department shall construct a state-of-the-art sports complex located in West Oahu dedicated to the successful operation and management of this alternative sports league. This project shall go through the proper procurement procedures as listed in Hawaii Revised Statutes §103B and §103D. (g) This program shall be made free to participating students. Costs associated with building the sports complex shall be born by the department. SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $25,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the alternative sports league program and the construction of the sports complex that serves this program. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________ Report Title: Alternative Sports League; High School Students; West Oahu Description: Requires the Department of Education to create and manage a sports league for high school students in West Oahu, to further aid the development of high school students. This league is open to all high school students, regardless of whether the student attends a public, private, charter, or home school. The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.