Education

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2297: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Updates Hawaii's statutory framework for adult and community education programs to ensure alignment with federal funding requirements and current best practices in those programs. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates Hawaii's adult/community education framework to align with federal funding and best practices, enhancing program effectiveness and funding alignment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2138: RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Authorizes the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified enlisted personnel in the Hawaii National Guard. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance for graduate degrees at UH, increasing access to higher education funding for National Guard personnel.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition assistance to graduate degrees for Hawaii National Guard members, directly enhancing educational benefits for veterans as a subset of service members.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2125: RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSING.

Allows the Department of Education and charter schools to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires that unlicensed teachers hired on an emergency basis make continuous and verifiable progress toward satisfying licensing requirements. Sunsets on 6/30/2031, but provides that unlicensed emergency hires employed before the sunset date may continue employment for up to five years from their hiring date, under certain conditions. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves 3-year limit for unlicensed teachers while requiring progress toward licensure, supporting teacher retention and professional development in education.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 549: 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 EducationFunds early learning apprenticeship program for providers, supporting educational access and workforce development in early education through appropriations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2320: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Kuleana AgTech Pathways Program to create career pipelines in the fields of agriculture and agricultural technology. Requires the University of Hawaii to collaborate with the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and appropriate community organizations to develop and administer the program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes AgTech career pathways program with DOE collaboration, appropriates funds for educational pipeline development, directly advancing K-12/higher education opportunities in agricultural fields.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates agtech career pathways with DLIR collaboration, funding workforce development in agriculture sector to advance employment opportunities.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds AgTech career pathways via University of Hawaii collaboration, directly advancing agricultural technology sector through program development and appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2550: RELATING TO SCHOOL MODERNIZATION.

Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a school modernization initiative through a capital improvement project planning database for school facilities statewide. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for school modernization initiative, directly funding public infrastructure under state budget authority.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for school modernization initiative via capital improvement database, directly improving school infrastructure and facilities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2024: RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Authorizes the School Facilities Authority to use public-private partnerships for the development of public school facilities, including facilities at public charter schools. Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a pilot program to develop three new public schools in areas based on demonstrated need through public-private partnerships. Requires the approval of the Department of Education prior to the development of a public school for the pilot program on Department lands. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for charter school facilities through public-private partnerships, directly funding public education infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for new public schools in high-need areas via public-private partnerships, directly improving school infrastructure and access per education topic description.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1605: RELATING TO HUMAN AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience for the development of its human and community resilience institute. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for a University of Hawaii institute (higher education), directly funding institutional development within the education sector.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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signed · Hawaii · House Apr 24, 2026

HCR 43: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO INSTALL RAISED CROSSWALKS AT THE UNIVERSITY AVENUE, LAUIKI STREET, AND KAMOKU STREET INTERSECTIONS WITH HIHIWAI STREET TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY NEAR ALA WAI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

This bill urges the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services to install raised crosswalks at three specific intersections with Hihiwai Street to enhance pedestrian safety near Ala Wai Elementary School. The proposed changes target University Avenue, Lauiki Street, and Kamoku Street, where current traffic controls are considered insufficient for high volumes of pedestrians including students and families. Raised crosswalks would physically slow vehicles and improve visibility for drivers, addressing safety concerns at these busy residential intersections. The resolution directs copies to city officials and school leaders to facilitate the implementation of these traffic calming measures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves pedestrian safety near elementary school, directly supporting student safety and educational access75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly advocates for installing raised crosswalks to improve pedestrian safety and traffic control at specific intersections, directly enhancing transportation infrastructure and safety standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2567: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

HB 2567 establishes a dedicated Early Childhood Education Investment Special Fund to finance early childhood education programs. The bill appropriates state funds into this special account, ensuring dedicated budgeting for eligible early childhood services. This fund will be managed by the state government to support programs serving young children, though specific eligibility criteria aren't detailed in the abstract. The bill passed its first reading in January 2026 and is now under review by education and finance committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state fund for early childhood education via appropriations, directly funding public services through fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated Early Childhood Education Investment Special Fund with state appropriations, directly advancing educational access and funding for young children's programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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