Education (Higher Education)

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2602: RELATING TO THE GENERAL FUND.

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)

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRedirects excess tuition funds from UH special fund to general fund, limiting university's financial resources without increasing education funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1352: MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii I Hoa Na Moolelo program, including for the hiring of a graduate assistant, hiring of undergraduate writers, and acquiring a new website domain. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for UH program, directly increasing state budget allocation for public education and cultural initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for University of Hawaii program including hiring staff and website, directly funding higher education operations per appropriation subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 87: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish three additional permanent mental health practitioner positions within the Division of Student Success' Counseling and Student Development Center.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates funds for additional mental health practitioners at UH Manoa's student support center, directly enhancing student mental health services in higher education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds three additional mental health practitioners at UH Manoa, directly expanding campus mental health services and improving student access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health Mental Health

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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

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2005: RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.

HB 2005 establishes a statewide language access education and workforce development program at the University of Hawaii, funded through state appropriations. The program aims to train workers in language access services, directly impacting the University of Hawaii system and future state workforce development efforts. It requires the university to develop training curricula and implement the program, with funding allocated for this purpose. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 3000 (a date likely reflecting a typo in the official record).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds language access program at University of Hawaii, directly supporting higher education workforce development and educational access through state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce development program training workers in language access services, advancing employment standards through skill-building and state-funded workforce preparation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Public Employees Workforce Development

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2168: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Kuleana AgTech Pathways Pilot Program. 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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes AgTech education pathway with DOE collaboration and funding, directly enhancing educational access and programs through curriculum development and student pathways.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3159: 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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes UH revenue bonds for capital improvement projects, directly funding higher education infrastructure as a core support indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2588: RELATING TO AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING.

HB 2588 establishes an American Sign Language (ASL) Program at the University of Hawaii and appropriates funding for its operation. The program directly affects University of Hawaii students and future ASL interpreters by providing dedicated educational resources. Key provisions include creating the program structure and allocating state funds for its implementation. This bill represents a concrete policy change to support ASL education at the university level.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates state funds to establish an ASL program at University of Hawaii, directly advancing higher education access through dedicated resources and funding for interpreter training.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1436: RELATING TO THE ALOHA SPIRIT, CIVICS, AND DEMOCRACY.

Establishes the Hawaii Civics Collaborative within the Department of Accounting and General Services to promote civics engagement and perpetuate the Aloha Spirit. Requires the Department of Education, University of Hawaii Matsunaga Institute for Peace, Public Access Room, and other community organizations to facilitate civic engagement education statewide. Establishes two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) civic education specialist positions within the Department of Education. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for Hawaii Civics Collaborative and two FTE positions in DOE, directly funding a new civic education program per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates 2.0 FTE civic education positions, mandates DOE implementation, and appropriates funds for statewide civics education programs within K-12 system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 758: RELATING TO SEX-BASED DISCRIMINATION.

Clarifies and strengthens the State's protections against sex-based harassment, sex discrimination, and retaliation that occur in public schools, public charter schools, or at the University of Hawaii, including discrimination based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and pregnancy-related conditions. Establishes procedures for investigations and decision-making. Requires mandatory reporting by certain employees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens protections against sex discrimination/harassment in K-12 and higher education, directly advancing safe learning environments and educational access per Title IX standards.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentStrengthens workplace protections against sex discrimination, retaliation, and harassment for school employees, directly advancing labor rights under employment standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Employment Discrimination

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