Education

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 421: RELATING TO LITERACY.

Requires the Department of Education to administer a general dyslexia screening to all students in kindergarten through grade three. Requires the Department of Education to continue to administer the general English language arts universal screening for students in kindergarten through grade nine. Requires the Department of Education to collaborate with teacher training programs to ensure prospective candidates are trained on literacy instruction, including evidence-based intervention, to support all students. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires dyslexia/English language arts screenings for K-9 and mandates evidence-based teacher training for literacy instruction, directly advancing student reading proficiency and educator preparedness.92% 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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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1389: RELATING TO THERAPY SERVICES.

Expands the scopes of practice for occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech pathologists to allow those professionals working for or contracted by the Department of Education to diagnose medical conditions that can be treated with their respective services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands therapy access within DOE, enabling faster diagnosis for student services under education-focused departments85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands therapists' diagnostic authority, improving patient access to therapy services without additional medical referrals, aligning with healthcare access indicators.90% 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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