Thank you so much. Thank you Chris. Uh Abigail Ramston. Aloha. Aloha. Yeah. Rivian Automotive. Aloha. Good afternoon. My name is Abigail Ramston Western State Policy Lead for Rivian Automotive. As a manufacturer of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure Rivian is pleased to support this bill. A clean vehicle rebate program is a proven policy that can catalyze clean transportation and support consumers without burdening the state budget. The state has identified vehicle fuel use as a financial and environmental burden. This program would take an important step forward facilitating the state's transition to clean vehicles and lowering the cost of living for Hawaii residents. As a manufacturer actively selling and servicing vehicles in Hawaii Rivian urges the legislature to continue moving this important legislation. Based on our experience in other states this program offered directly to consumers with few administrative burdens can successfully drive electric vehicle adoption. This summer Rivian will release a mid-size SUV that can go up and downhills and it would qualify for this program as written.
I will move the governing board approve progress to report two report three. Thank you. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I nays. >> Hearing none. Motion passes. Thank you. Thank you for that added on uh explanation. I know. >> Um, that brings us to item five, public comments. Miss Cornes, do we have any public comments? Okay, thank you. That brings us to item six, approval of consent. I move that the governing board approve consent agenda items A through J in accordance with policy 1-302. All those in favor? >> I any ns hearing? None. Motion passes. And that brings us to item 10, which is to consider and discuss amendment if desired and advisable to adopt a resolution approving the governing board's argument in support of the special maintenance and operation budget override and district additional assistance override elections. >> So president, members of the board, before I turn, I'd like to point out that um just extend a thank you to um council that supported us through all of our bonds and election this weekend this evening as well actually two We need to get set up because otherwise I'll start sharing about conversation with us.
That's all I have. Thank you. Sorry now. I'm really not comfortable with this whole committee being oversight situation. Um so, what I understand from everything that you presented is that one of the options will be to take away the toddler part of the program because that way we you know, that that fingerprint situation goes away, correct? That's what I understood. The fingerprint situation will go away. Or it's not necessary. Just for the students, not for any staff member that's working with the children. Just just the high school children. Yes. And that's what you >> Just the students in the program. Yeah, that's what that's what they what that's what you said that the problem is. Right? Yes, the problem is we're under EEC right now and our high school students need to be fingerprinted in order to go into the daycare. So, if we did >> also >> that there's all the uh school that have the program, and they don't have the same issue.
We want to facilitate electric vehicle adoption broadly and across brands. Hawaii is in a position to lead other states and the nation in electrification and a just clean energy transition. We respectfully urge your support.
What kind of >> size? I did not because I was indoors, but I did learn this resource fair. A little warm, but very well supported by our part. All right, Madame President, board members and superintendent. There's still a couple tonight you will consider discuss the resolution board election. So what I'd like to present to you is the PowerPoint that came from the fiscal stewardship committee. um committee that um oversightes a few of the areas that we bring to the board. Uh they um review budgets, the annual financial report. They've helped to develop the district's capital plan and were instrumental in the last uh bond election uh providing and and putting data together uh that allowed us to create that pamphlet and um all of the great projects that we're moving forward with in our current law. Um, so this is the Kraven blueprint. We have uh 20 over 20 years of community funded educational programs through our voter initiatives.
Yes, correct. The other technical schools do not have to do this. It's because we have the infant and toddler piece, I think. But, speaking with the >> why I'm mentioning that probably that's one of the options that we need to go for because I mean, I understand that us overseeing it, it will take away the this this situation that you have or the school have with that this program. But, the inconsistency of following up is one problem. And then, we are I mean, we're sitting here, we go home, and we said, "Yes, we are overseeing something." But, it's just a verbal or approval in in a situ in in a meeting here, but that's it. So, I think us overseeing takes more than saying, "Yes." And that's where I'm I'm having a big problem with this. Okay? So, I wanted to make sure that that is said.
Any questions? Yeah, happy to answer questions. Welcome. I've never heard of Rivian here. Okay, so who do you sell your cars to? Oh I you said you will be releasing so you create um uh vehicles um Yes. So another brand or something? This is our logo. Okay. >> And we sell the cars with the kind of the googly eyes. They're they're around. Oh, okay. Googly eyes? They're actually really They do they they do. >> [laughter] >> Okay, I got to go look for a googly eye. Okay. You once you see it you will know exactly what I'm saying. It it looks like this. Oh, where? In the front? >> in the front. >> Yeah. Oh. There's a bar that lights up at night and then two oval like You know, I may have seen something and I thought what is this? Anyway, so >> Yes.
Um, bridging that state funding gap. We've talked about this a few times uh in some of our sessions, but um there's approximately like a 16% reduction uh from the state of Arizona not funding our district additional assistance capital needs. So district assistance say that capital side cannot be spent on the salaries and benefits. Um and this is uh been in that intended formula since 2008. There's capital lawsuits. Uh there has been some movement. We've had little bits and pieces and gaps, but primarily we fund our capital needs with our local voters to bridge that gap. And that's what allows us to keep up our classrooms, have permits equipment, construction materials, those types of amenities and frequently based products. So in Kraton, we have three pillars of local support. That's our maintenance and operation override that um funds the human side of the house and the supplies and repair.
Mhm. And that we we find different options than just the committee will oversee. >> The only other option that I know of that other technical schools have done is they only have preschool. And so, when you remove the infant toddler piece, now you don't need the whole EEC oversight fingerprinting thing. That's typically what other technical schools do is is the preschool. They have a a three, four, uh no, a two, three, and a four, five. So, 2.9 to five. I mean, what I had to say was uh before is probably minimized now, but >> [clears throat and cough] >> the fingerprinting thing is no joke for high school kid. I get that they need their parents' permission, and they need to be there. This Identogo is no joke. Um and I didn't even know they came on site for 50. I thought it was like strictly you had to go there.
Okay, wait now. >> a new brand. >> Yes, yes, but I do you have a business here and what name is it? So our business is Rivian. Here in Honolulu? We have a service center in Oahu but it's on Dillingham. >> [laughter] >> Okay, but you also have a um the So you're like kind of Ford and Nissan so where are you? So we are a California-based company. We manufacture our vehicles in Illinois. Okay. >> We sell in the United States. Okay and you're Okay, you build in Illinois under what brand? Rivian. Okay. Okay, not a Ford not a Chevrolet. No. Okay, not a Lexus and it's Rivian. Yeah, all the time. Okay. We got to go take a tour to your facility then. And just for purposes of Hawaii residents they're off-road vehicles. We have a truck and an SUV. You do have a truck?
That is our salaries and maintenance. again that district additional assistance with the physical tools that's the technologies curriculum instructional materials and then our bonds are the ones that fun those major infrastructures like our rebuilds um remodel problems for maintenance and operations override. It is a 16% override of of the revenue control. We have talked about revenue control in some of our budget study sessions. Um it's a estimate of about five million. So about five million of our total budget is functionally override funds and adds to the basic budget levels. The lifespan of a a maintenance and operation override is seven years. But in the fifth year it gets reduced by a third the next year another third and then phases out completely. So it's very important to time your elections so that you don't encounter that question. So our imino override is the one that if you during the entire pamphlet um that's what allows us to do full day kindergarten provide um art music and to our students.
So, and to me, just because they're fingerprinted, it doesn't make them okay anyway. I would want to know that make sure that they're not on any drugs or anything like that. That's more important to me than being fingerprinted, but uh this is not this isn't this is not my rule. So, um I mean, I I don't know what oversight this committee could have. But, sometimes we don't get answers. Like, the fact that we didn't know this for a long time is an issue with me. So, how long do we have to wait before something else comes or unf- there's an unfortunate situation that we don't learn about until it's too late. I mean, that's my problem with this committee having oversight because I don't feel that the communication is where it needs to be for us to feel for me to feel comfortable. Otherwise, I I'd want to save the program.
>> Yeah, they're larger vehicles. >> or you have hybrids? It's only EV that is all that we make. >> my Hilo people won't be able to afford the the truck >> have a new one coming out that will be to be be between 45 and $60,000 putting it in line >> an EV not a hybrid. It is an EV. Okay. >> Yes, but it has a range of up to 350 miles. It's a really capable vehicle. It can go off-roading. It can go through really high water because it doesn't have an engine intake. It's it's a great vehicle for Hawaii. Okay. We'd love to see more of them. >> We'll look for the googly eyes. Okay, um Senator I have a quick uh follow-up. So I know you mentioned in your testimony that you've worked in other states you're based in California. >> Yeah. Um is there a similar program in the state of California that does something like this?
This um also funds our gifted student opportunities. It allows us to um maintain our salaries for our teachers and staff. This also gives us some of that safety uh with the custodians and the nurses to do safe and clean schools. And another factor with this one, and we've been doing this for quite a few years, is it allows us to expand our transportation so that students don't have to cross dangerous areas like the 51 and the 10. Uh so very intentional with our transportation. This is even before we expanded our plan. Um to provide safe our district visual assistance. Again, that's the capital side, the people side. This is the furniture and equipment and especially our instruction materials and curriculum. Um this is a 10% allowable override over the reserve from the maintenance and operation over seven years with the same amount for seven years and then they do not we utilize those uh DA monies for our student devices and hardware educational software again furniture and fixtures but also the districtwide infrastructure and our upgrades so that you can stream on YouTube um our need and have access to be able to provide um districtwide supports and also our safety of course we have So, in our last voters camp, we did have um the cost taxpayers in those previous elections um but a combined investment of less than a dollar per day for the average homeowner.
I'd want it to I'd want it to flourish. I I think with a couple of directors that are fully certified, and just like any particular vocational shop, they're overseeing the students. Other students don't have to be fingerprinted. But, the whole you have to have your presence there. No drugs, no this, no that. Like, be on task. That's most important to me. So, the again, I don't hear about things until it's too late. And this is a perfect example. So, I don't know. >> [clears throat] >> Number one, when you say over school committee oversight, school committee and myself are the governing body. When you say oversight, I will be overseeing the program as I do every program in the school. You oversee every program in the school, not just this. It's no different than any other program in the school. You oversee all programs. And I, as the governing part of the governing body, oversees your interest in making sure that we meet all the state laws, regulations, funding, all the things.
>> There is. Okay. And is it is it very similar to this or did they have to restructure some of their programs and how they give out rebates? Well it's so it's called Clean Cars for All and it is a a low and middle income electric vehicle sales rebate that is scaled uh based on your income. So you substantiate your income and then you receive a voucher from the state to bring to >> state funds the state funds the program. So it's not from taxing higher vehicle gas or diesel use so it's it's much different than this. >> the legislature every year trying to figure out how to refund this program. What the state has is the greenhouse gas reduction fund which was created a number of years ago and is intended to take moneys gathered through a cap and trade program uh that is intended to try to bring uh emissions down across industrial and and vehicle sectors.
So, sorry. Um these are continuations of existing overrides that have been our district. Um we are not asking for new funings or um original >> just to clarify this 193 cents that you put on there that happened in the past which is a continuation. This is a continuation not a tax increase. And when we talk about continuation we've had our override in place for over 20 years. So this isn't new monies or something that we don't navigate with. These are operating budgets that have been in place where it's sensible amount of time our voters been receiving to support these initiatives. Um and our DA override has been in place since 2014. So over two years uh with that particular open again it did not increase our current tax rate. I want to go ahead and stress that these are continuations and uh the timing of our elections are so that we don't have those phase out phase out clicks.
This program's the same exact thing. What this program does by going to option three, students do not have to get fingerprinted. Doesn't make >> [snorts] >> They only we will query and sorry all the students with our our own uh Department of HR. That's not a difficult thing to do, and we'll do that. Then, the students can operate and work with all the younger kids, including the the infants and the toddlers. So, the reason we're so different is because I told Ann Marie that I did not want to drop the toddlers or the infants part of the program cuz I thought it was important to the program. And also, we would operate in two different ways. If we had to do that, we would run an EEC program for the toddlers and the uh infants because that's a service that we basically started this all because we wanted to support the teachers' needs in terms of daycare.
It takes some of that funding and puts it towards programs like this because they have a proven Right. carbon reduction which is what the greenhouse gas reduction fund requires. >> Okay, so slightly different than this this model. >> Something like this that funds itself um and you know, could potentially have a market effect and uh encourage people to not only take advantage of a rebate but look at electric vehicles as a plausible option for them can uh has been shown in other states like uh the other uh testifier pointed out it really does move markets and and encourage customers to overcome their reluctance to take an an electric Okay, thank you Abigail. Appreciate it. Sorry folks. I'm supposed to go see your car this afternoon at 5:00. >> Okay, okay. >> to see the googly eyes. Why is this familiar and I I see your hostess over there and I said oh that's the car I'm going to see.
So that's what we're talking about with fiscal click if we go out in November of 2026 and we have um approved initiatives then we will continue with our budgeting levels. Um if for some reason uh you run the 26 fails that means in the following year you would have a third reduction in our 27 28 school year um the DA over completely and go away and it continues to fail the additional >> Can you go back to that real just say that real quick? Okay. So if we do not pass this money in override what the redemption will end the bill will happen by August of 2026. >> Okay. Um oh yeah I see the 27 August 2027. And again M obviously we can't choose right now right but M funds full day kindergarten so that could be at risk. M funds what else that could be at risk?