Education

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 34: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Requires the Department of Education to identify an absence due to the mental health of a student as an excused absence. Defines the term "excused absence". Exempts an absence due to the mental health of a student from the enforcement of penalties relating to compulsory attendance at school. Limits the number of excused absences that may be taken by a student due to mental health reasons.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts mental health absences from attendance penalties, supporting student access to education by removing barriers to attendance without punitive measures.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allows mental health absences without penalty, supporting student access to care by removing attendance barriers related to mental health.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 91: RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

Establishes a homeless student stability program and homeless student housing resource program within the University of Hawaii. Establishes a minimum of one benefits navigator position at each University of Hawaii System campus and a position within the University of Hawaii System to coordinate campus positions and initiatives. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds to establish homeless student stability/housing programs and benefits navigators at University of Hawaii, directly supporting student basic needs and educational access in higher education.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes homeless student housing resource program with funding, directly addressing housing instability for vulnerable students through dedicated programs and appropriations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Homelessness

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 443: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

Appropriates funds for one retention coordinator position, one internship coordinator position, and student enrollment management initiatives at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for retention/internship coordinators and enrollment initiatives at UH Hilo, directly supporting student success and university operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 663: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES.

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to establish eight full-time equivalent (8.0 FTE) agricultural technician positions and four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) community coordinator positions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for UH college positions (agricultural technicians, community coordinators), directly funding higher education infrastructure and personnel at a university college.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1634: RELATING TO EDUCATION EQUITY.

Requires the Department of Education to permit the participation of eligible homeschooled students in public high school extracurricular activities, subject to certain requirements and limitations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for homeschooled students by mandating public school extracurricular participation, directly addressing equity in education access per bill title and subjects.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2530: RELATING TO TEACHER TO STUDENT RATIOS.

Requires the Board of Education and collective bargaining units to calculate student-to-teacher ratios for class sizes according to a prescribed method to promote quality education and positive student-teacher interactions. Informs parents if changes to class sizes are needed.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates calculating student-to-teacher ratios to promote quality education and positive interactions, directly supporting teacher-student dynamics and educational quality without ambiguity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 767: 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 the Maunakea Scholars Program and Internship Program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds University of Hawaii's educational programs (Maunakea Scholars, Internships) through appropriations for salaries, stipends, and operational costs, directly supporting higher education workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds Space Sciences Workforce Development Program, directly supporting employment initiatives through salary/appropriations for positions and stipends.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Workforce Development

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1524: RELATING TO TEACHER EDUCATION.

Requires the Board of Regents to grant a waiver on all tuition and mandatory fees to a resident student enrolled in the College of Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa for the semester or term that the student enrolls in a State-Approved Teacher Education Program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tuition/fee waivers for teacher education students, directly reducing costs to support future educators and strengthen teacher pipeline funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1072: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

HB 1072 would provide state funds to public schools for classroom supplies requested by teachers during fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The bill directly affects K-12 teachers and school administrators who would use these funds to purchase specific materials they identify as needed. It allocates dedicated funding through the Department of Education without requiring new state mandates or changes to existing supply procurement processes. This is a funding measure focused on supporting classroom needs as determined by educators themselves.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates dedicated state funds for K-12 classroom supplies via DOE appropriations, directly increasing public education budget allocation without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides dedicated state funds for K-12 classroom supplies requested by teachers, directly increasing resource access without new mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement State Budget Curriculum School Funding Teachers

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1892: RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Requires the exclusive representative for bargaining unit (5) to appoint to the Board of Education a nonvoting public school teacher representative. Authorizes the nonvoting public school teacher representative to participate in all Board of Education meetings and enter into executive sessions, except in certain matters related to collective bargaining negotiations or personnel matters that may pose a conflict of interest. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds teacher representative to school board, enabling educator input in governance - supports teacher involvement in decision-making.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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