SB 2548 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Summary

Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish geographically based capital improvement project districts for the localized management of deferred maintenance. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Mar 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2548 → SB2548_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated to reflect its first Senate reading (SD1) with a complete overhaul of its text. The most significant change is the removal of provisions that transferred specific positions, funds, and deferred maintenance duties from the Department of Education to the School Facilities Authority, leaving the bill to only require the creation of new geographic project districts. Additionally, the effective date was extended from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2050, and the bill's title was simplified to focus on districts and appropriations rather than the transfer of authority.

Scope change

The bill's scope was significantly narrowed by removing the transfer of functions, funds, and vacant positions from the Department of Education to the School Facilities Authority, which were previously intended to be implemented under Act 72.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement to transfer vacant facilities development branch positions, all related funds, and all deferred maintenance functions from the Department of Education to the School Facilities Authority.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2050.

FISCAL

Modified the appropriation language to remove references to implementing the transfer of positions and funds, focusing solely on establishing the new geographic districts.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header, report title, and summary to reflect the removal of the transfer provisions and the new effective date.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 16

lower

Mar 6, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 62) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:17AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2614) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Fukunaga.

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-26 1:02PM; CR 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDU, WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors