Education

Establishes a temporary, independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission to develop and recommend a comprehensive package of school consolidations, realignments, and closures based on the federal Base Realignment and Closure model. Requires reports to the Legislature. Requires an expedited approval process for the recommended school consolidations, realignments, and closures. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

By 1/1/2027, requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt and post written policies that identify nonpublic areas, establish procedures for warrant verification and staff response, prohibit the collection of certain immigration-status data, and require annual staff training and certain multilingual notices. Requires the Attorney General to publish model policies. (CD1)

Requires that tuition, tuition-related course and fee charges, and other charges to students deposited into the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund be allocated and expended in accordance with Board of Regents policies governing systemwide operations. On 6/30/2029, requires unencumbered funds in the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund that exceeds the reserve level established by the Board of Regents to lapse to the general fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Repeals the requirement that retirants rehired as teachers or administrators serve in a teacher shortage area identified by the Department of Education. Requires retirants rehired after 6/30/2026 as teachers or administrators in Department or charter schools to be paid the entry level salary for the teacher or administrator position as negotiated in the collective bargaining unit contract. Prohibits retirants rehired after 6/30/2026 from receiving additional employment benefits. Requires the DOE to adopt rules. (SD1)