Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1460: RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires that each Department of Education public school student earn 2 credits in Hawaiian language as a graduation requirement. Establishes a 2-year pilot program for Hawaiian language instruction at a central Oahu elementary school and Nanakuli High and Intermediate School. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates 2 Hawaiian language credits for graduation, funds pilot programs, and appropriates budget for curriculum expansion in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1272: RELATING TO A HAWAII TEACHER REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

HB 1272 would establish the Hawaii Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, administered by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. The program provides a structured training path for new educators, combining paid on-the-job teaching experience with classroom instruction to support teacher development. It includes funding appropriations to cover program implementation and participant stipends. This bill directly affects aspiring teachers in Hawaii seeking an alternative certification route through work-based learning.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill includes funding appropriations for teacher development program, directly increasing state spending on education through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes funded teacher apprenticeship program with stipends, directly supporting educator development and alternative certification pathways.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2427: RELATING TO UNACCOMPANIED HOMELESS YOUTH.

Entitles unaccompanied homeless youth, including runaway youth, with the rights, as provided by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, to immediate enrollment in school, full participation in school activities, and access to comparable school and educational services provided to other students. Establishes a student-centered, safety-first protocol for unaccompanied homeless youth enrolling in or attending school. Permits unaccompanied homeless youth to provisionally enroll in school without providing immunization records. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGuarantees immediate school enrollment and comparable educational services for homeless youth, expanding K-12 access rights per federal law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

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

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 605: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires the Department of Education to include the teaching of financial literacy in kindergarten through grade twelve. Requires students in grades nine through twelve to complete a one-half credit in financial literacy before graduation. Requires the Board of Education to provide professional development to teachers who are teaching financial literacy courses.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy curriculum K-12, requires graduation credit, and funds teacher professional development, strengthening educational program requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 409: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to design and construct photovoltaic panel coverings over playgrounds at all Department of Education schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for photovoltaic playground coverings at DOE schools, directly funding school infrastructure improvements per education policy indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds photovoltaic (solar) panel installations on school playgrounds, directly investing in renewable energy infrastructure per bill summary and subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 574: RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM.

Allows children having a parent or guardian who is a public school teacher to have priority for enrollment in the Executive Office on Early Learning public prekindergarten program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrioritizes enrollment for children of public school teachers in pre-K, directly supporting educator access and family needs within early education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 962: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish and administer a two-year school librarian pilot program to provide funding for qualifying schools to hire librarians. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for school librarian pilot program, directly funding a public education initiative under state budget authority.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for school librarian pilot program, directly funding K-12 educational resources and access as required by the bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2564: RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Authorizes the funding for rental or lease of facilities by legislative appropriations and bond authorizations to the state public charter school commission for the design, planning, construction, repair, and maintenance of public charter school improvements. Appropriates general funds for infrastructure costs, rental or lease assistance, and the repair and maintenance of network infrastructure for charter schools. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates general funds for charter school infrastructure, directly funding public education programs through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for charter school facility construction, repair, and infrastructure maintenance, directly advancing educational infrastructure funding per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds School Choice

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 563: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII'S SPACE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING INITIATIVE.

Appropriates funds for salaries and fringe benefits of positions for the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy's Space Science and Engineering Initiative Workforce Development Program, Maunakea Scholars Program, and Internship Program. Appropriates funds for office equipment and supplies, operational costs, and stipends for high school and college students. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for student stipends, internship programs, and workforce development at UH, directly advancing higher education access and student support programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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