Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 239: RELATING TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS.

Requires certain state buildings, including public school buildings, for which construction is anticipated to commence on or after 7/1/2026 to be designed to withstand category five hurricanes and be used as shelters in the event of an emergency. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires public school buildings to withstand hurricanes, improving infrastructure safety per education topic indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1530: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Requires the Board of Regents or the President of the University of Hawaii to allocate general funds appropriated to the University of Hawaii to University of Hawaii program IDs in accordance with performance-based outcomes relating to student achievement and degree attainment. Requires the President to submit reports to the Legislature. Requires the President to propose at least three efficiency measures to the Director of Finance to produce a more effective budget.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates performance-based funding for UH tied to student achievement and degree attainment, directing resources toward measurable educational outcomes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1069: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

HB 1069 would add two voting members to the School Facilities Authority Board: one representing the Department of Education and another representing the Board of Education. These members would serve ex officio (in their official roles) and have voting power on the board. The bill directly affects how the School Facilities Authority makes decisions about school construction and maintenance projects. This change modifies the board's composition but does not alter education funding or student policies. (Note: The bill passed committee in February 2025 but remains pending legislative action.)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds DOE/BOE members to Facilities Board to improve school construction/maintenance decisions, enhancing infrastructure management per bill's direct focus on facility decision-making.75% 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 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 420: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Allows newly graduated high school students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in Department of Education-sponsored work-based learning programs. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables workers' comp for students in DOE work-based learning programs, enhancing access to educational internships and supporting student participation in structured learning opportunities.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends workers' compensation coverage to recent graduates in work-based programs, enhancing worker safety benefits for a vulnerable group.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 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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passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 546: RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Establishes the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaii to develop, support, and advance artificial intelligence initiatives statewide. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes Aloha Intelligence Institute at UH to advance AI initiatives, directly supporting higher education infrastructure and research capacity.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes Aloha Intelligence Institute to develop and advance AI initiatives statewide, directly advancing technology through funding and institutional support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 819: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to establish an international teacher license for certain visa holders and the requirements to obtain the international teacher license. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates international teacher license pathway to expand educator workforce, directly supporting teacher access and school staffing needs in Hawaii.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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