Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 865: 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 - expands educational requirements and enhances student financial readiness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 265: RELATING TO TEACHER RETENTION.

Establishes the Onipaʻa Teacher Bonus Program to address teacher retention and award teachers for outstanding and extended service in the department of education. Ensures that general education teachers assigned to special education inclusion classes receive the same additional benefits as special education teachers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes new teacher bonus program requiring state funding, directly increasing education budget allocation for retention.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes teacher bonus program for retention and equal benefits for inclusion teachers, directly advancing educator support and retention efforts in education policy.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes teacher bonus program and ensures equal benefits for general education teachers in special ed inclusion, expanding worker benefits and promoting equitable compensation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

Track

passed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2415: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

HB 2415 appropriates state funds to the Department of Transportation for installing pedestrian safety improvements (like crosswalks or signage) at locations directly adjacent to school properties. It also directs the department to consider implementing similar safety measures at other high-risk sites beyond school areas. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to use these allocated funds for specific traffic safety projects, effective July 1, 3000. This policy change directly affects school communities and pedestrians near schools by directing state resources toward physical safety infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for DOT traffic safety projects, directly allocating budget resources to a public safety program.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill funds traffic safety improvements (crosswalks, signage) at school properties to enhance student safety and access, directly supporting school infrastructure and educational access per Safe Routes to School initiative.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill appropriates state funds for DOT to install pedestrian safety infrastructure (crosswalks/signage) at schools/high-risk sites, directly funding transportation safety projects to enhance infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2612: RELATING TO MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION IN SCHOOLS.

Clarifies that the Department of Education and its employees and agents shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability arising from assisting students with the administration of medication under certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies immunity for DOE staff administering school medication, enabling safer student care without legal barriers, thus supporting school health access and operational continuity.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides immunity for school staff administering medication, enabling consistent access to school health services without liability concerns, supporting student healthcare access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2583: RELATING TO STUDENT HEAT EXPOSURE.

Requires the Board of Education to adopt a heat acclimatization and practice policy based on the Hawaii Athletic Trainers Association's Hawaii High School Athletic Association Heat Acclimatization and Practice Policy of 2017 for students in grades kindergarten to twelve in Department of Education schools and public charter schools statewide for certain physical activities. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates heat safety policy for K-12 physical activities and appropriates funds, enhancing student safety in education settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1181: RELATING TO HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE IMMERSION EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to implement a plan for a Hawaiian language immersion school in Kapolei that shall be ready to educate students in grades kindergarten through 12 by the 2028-2029 school year. Appropriates moneys.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds to establish Hawaiian language immersion school (K-12), expanding curriculum access and funding for public education per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 2304: RELATING TO PRIVATE SUPPORT OF EDUCATION.

Clarifies that free tuition at private educational institutions are to be considered conditional gifts that support educational advancements rather than contractual obligations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies private tuition as conditional gifts supporting educational advancements, enabling donor support without contractual obligations, thus facilitating educational funding mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1455: RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR CLIMATE RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds for the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology within the University of Hawaii to establish and operate a Center for Climate Resilient Development.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for a university center (higher education), directly funding an educational institution to establish a new research center.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill appropriates funds to establish a Center for Climate Resilient Development at UH's SOEST, directly advancing climate change research and environmental resilience efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 424: RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires the Department of Education to provide free breakfast and lunch to students enrolled in a public school who meet certain requirements. 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 an unspecified portion of the cost of preparing the meals. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for free school meals, increasing state budget allocation for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates free school meals for eligible students and appropriates funds, enhancing educational access and student welfare through direct funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 872: 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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables high school graduates in DOE work-based programs to access workers' comp, enhancing student safety and program participation in educational transitions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends workers' compensation coverage to high school graduates in work-based learning programs, enhancing workplace safety protections for a vulnerable group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education Child Labor Workers' Compensation

Track