SCR 196 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A PROPOSAL FOR A TIERED, COORDINATED, AND STANDARDIZED BELL SCHEDULE FRAMEWORK FOR DEPARTMENT SCHOOLS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create a standardized bell schedule framework for public schools across the state. The proposed framework would organize school start and end times by level - elementary, middle, and high school - while still allowing local flexibility and meeting minimum instructional hour requirements. The bill requires the department to consult with school administrators, teachers, parents, students, and transportation providers during development. This initiative aims to address current inconsistencies in school schedules that affect transportation, staffing, family logistics, and coordination with community programs.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Mar 16, 2026 Signed Apr 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SCR196_HD1 → SCR196_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The Senate version of SCR 196 removed a key proviso requiring the Department of Education to consult with stakeholders including collective bargaining representatives, comply with applicable collective bargaining agreements, and consider adoption at the complex area or regional level rather than requiring site-based consensus. It also removed two WHEREAS clauses: one citing ongoing bus service disruptions as a problem, and another explaining how coordinated bell schedules would maximize limited transportation resources. The remaining text is largely unchanged.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the proviso requiring the bell schedule framework to be developed in consultation with affected stakeholders including collective bargaining representatives, to comply with applicable collective bargaining agreements, and allowing adoption at the complex area or regional level rather than requiring site-based consensus at each individual school.

SCOPE

Removed a WHEREAS clause citing ongoing school bus service disruptions (discontinued, consolidated, and unfulfilled routes) as a significant challenge for students and families across the State.

Removed a WHEREAS clause explaining that improved coordination of bell schedules is a practical strategy to maximize limited transportation resources by enabling more efficient routing and increasing the number of students served by existing bus capacity.

TECHNICAL

Reordered the recipients of certified copies from 'Chairperson of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Education' to 'Superintendent of Education and Chairperson of the Board of Education.'

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

Amendments

Apr 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Resolution adopted in final form.

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Amended

Senate disagrees with House amendments.

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 798).

upper

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Adopted as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka, Reyes Oda voting no (3) and Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Woodson excused (3).

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2234-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending adoption.

lower

Apr 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Garrett, Olds, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Kapela, Kila.

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDN, referral sheet 28

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 507) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3516) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga.

upper

Apr 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 04-06-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDU.

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

Offered.

upper

4 primary · 2 co-sponsors