Education

passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 624: RELATING TO SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS.

Creates a School Psychologists Working Group within the Department of Education to recommend actionable steps or propose legislation for an immediate pathway to licensure for school psychologists that can be acted upon in 2026. Requires a report to the Legislature. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Working Group to establish licensure pathway for school psychologists, enhancing mental health support access in K-12 schools.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 789: RELATING TO SCHOOL CAFETERIA MEAL COSTS.

Reduces the amount the Department of Education is authorized to charge for school meals to all students enrolled in department schools to no more than one-quarter of the cost of preparing the meals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill caps school meal charges at 25% of cost, increasing affordability/access for students, aligning with educational access support indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1217: RELATING TO POSITIONS AT THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine for faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics, and an environmental health and safety officer staff position. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds faculty positions at University of Hawaii's medical school (higher education) through appropriations, directly strengthening institutional capacity and educational offerings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds medical school faculty positions in health fields (cardiovascular, tropical medicine, etc.), directly advancing healthcare workforce development and research capacity.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 422: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by granting high school diplomas to veterans interrupted in education due to military service during WWII, Korean War, or Vietnam War.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes diplomas for veterans interrupted in education due to military service during WWII, Korea, or Vietnam, expanding educational benefits for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 636: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

Appropriates funds for one retention coordinator position, one internship coordinator position, and student enrollment management initiatives at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for retention/internship coordinators and enrollment initiatives at UH Hilo, directly enhancing student support services and access in higher education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1489: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESIDENT TUITION FEE.

Requires the University of Hawaii to grant the resident tuition fee for enrollment at any University of Hawaii campus to individuals who have graduated from a Hawaii high school and are enrolling in an undergraduate degree program, under certain conditions. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGuarantees resident tuition rates for Hawaii high school graduates in UH undergrad programs, reducing costs and enhancing higher education access per topic description.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1487: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII REVENUE BONDS.

Authorizes the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to issue revenue bonds for the purpose of financing qualifying priority capital improvement projects. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes revenue bonds and appropriates funds for UH capital projects, directly advancing budget allocation for public infrastructure under Appropriations ($).95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes UH revenue bonds for capital improvement projects, directly funding higher education infrastructure at University of Hawaii.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1604: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for the development of faculty, staff, teacher, and workforce housing at the Kauai Community College. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for faculty/staff housing at Kauai Community College, supporting educator retention and institutional stability in higher education.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAppropriates funds for workforce housing development at UH Kauai Community College, directly advancing affordable housing for staff and faculty.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce housing for faculty/staff at UH Kauai, directly supporting employee housing stability and retention per bill's 'Workforce Housing' subject.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 426: RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM.

Establishes an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to be administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial support for early learning program service providers in the State to participate in state- or federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to support service providers in state-approved apprenticeships, directly advancing early childhood education access and workforce development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 529: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

SB 529 allocates state funds to the Department of Education for its Hoakea Program, which supports educational initiatives (specific program details not provided in the abstract). The bill directly affects the Department of Education as the recipient of these funds, with the appropriation becoming effective on July 1, 2050. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, and specifies no new requirements or eligibility criteria beyond the existing program structure. The bill passed committee recommendation with 5 ayes on February 3, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds to DOE's Hoakea Program, directly increasing budgetary support for public education without policy changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to DOE's Hoakea Program for educational initiatives, directly advancing funding without restrictions or policy changes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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