URGING THE GOVERNOR TO RECONSIDER HIS DECISION NOT TO ALLOW HAWAII TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FEDERAL EDUCATION FREEDOM TAX CREDIT PROGRAM.

This House Resolution urges the Governor of Hawaii to reconsider the decision to exclude the state from the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program, which would allow families to use federal tax credits to fund scholarships for private school tuition and education services. The program, set to begin in 2027, is funded through private donations and federal tax incentives rather than state money, and it is available only to states that opt in. Currently, 23 states have chosen to participate, while Hawaii has not, meaning local families would miss out on additional funding opportunities for education choice options. The resolution highlights that Hawaii's current proficiency rates in reading and math are low, suggesting that participating could provide more financial resources to support students.