Informing the Legislature that on July 13, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1785 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 238).

This bill allows Hawaii's Department of Education to temporarily suspend or remove parts of school bus contracts if a contractor fails to provide service for five or more consecutive school days. It authorizes the superintendent to hire a temporary replacement carrier through an emergency agreement lasting up to twelve months while a permanent solution is sought. Additionally, the law permits the department to charge financial penalties to contractors who do not fulfill their obligations without valid justification, with those funds used to cover replacement transportation costs.