SR 186 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S PROCESS FOR ESTABLISHING, CLASSIFYING, AND APPROVING ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM POSITIONS, AND ITS SUPERVISION AND EVALUATION OF COMPLEX AREA SUPERINTENDENTS.

This Senate Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive performance and fiscal audit of the Department of Education's governance structure and administrative leadership in Hawaii. The audit will examine the roles, responsibilities, staffing, and costs associated with key leadership positions including the State Superintendent, Deputy Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, and Complex Area Superintendents. The review aims to evaluate whether the current organizational structure effectively supports the Department's strategic goals, identify any overlapping responsibilities, and provide recommendations for improving administrative efficiency and accountability. The Auditor will submit a detailed report with findings and potential legislative recommendations to the Legislature before the start of the 2027 session.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 16, 2026 Last action May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

SR186 → SR186_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to narrow its focus from a broad governance audit to a specific performance audit regarding the creation of administrative positions and the supervision of Complex Area Superintendents. This change shifts the audit's purpose from evaluating the overall leadership structure to examining the justification, approval processes, and fiscal impact of new roles. The revision also expands the audit's scope to include a detailed analysis of position growth trends, alignment with legislative intent, and specific accountability measures for Complex Area Superintendents.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed from a comprehensive review of the entire governance structure to a targeted audit of position creation processes and the supervision of Complex Area Superintendents.

SCOPE

The audit mandate was changed from a general review of governance and leadership to a specific focus on the processes for establishing, classifying, and approving administrative and program positions.

The original request for a broad fiscal audit of the entire administrative leadership structure and evaluation of all leadership positions was removed.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added to examine the statutory authority for creating positions, the criteria used for justification, and trends in administrative growth over the past ten years.

The audit now explicitly includes an analysis of whether positions align with legislative appropriations and policy objectives.

Detailed requirements were added to evaluate the supervision and performance evaluation of Complex Area Superintendents, including metrics tied to student outcomes.

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

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3563) 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

Apr 1, 2026

Committee

Re-Referred to EDU.

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDU, WAM.

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

Offered.

upper

4 primary · 3 co-sponsors