Education

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 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 527: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds for the establishment of five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the Civil Rights Compliance Branch of the Department of Education. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for 5 FTE civil rights positions in DOE, directly advancing public service funding within budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for civil rights equity specialists in DOE, advancing educational equity and compliance within education system.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 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 1124: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes the retail delivery safety fee of 50 cents to be imposed on a retailer for each transaction involving a non-food item retail delivery in the State. Allows the retailer to transfer the fee to the purchaser. Creates certain exemptions. Requires the Director of Taxation to deposit the collected fees into the Safe Routes to School Program Special Fund. Allows the Director of Taxation to deposit collected fees that cover the administration of the retail delivery safety fee into the state general fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 50-cent retail delivery fee (tax) to fund Safe Routes to School Program, directly increasing dedicated budget allocation for public service.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects retail delivery fees to Safe Routes to School Fund, enhancing student transportation access and safety - a specific educational access initiative.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds Safe Routes to School Program (transportation safety infrastructure) via retail delivery fee, directly supporting pedestrian/cyclist safety infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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