Education

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 245: RELATING TO STUDENT HEAT EXPOSURE SAFETY.

Requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to conduct a study on the current practices of managing heat exposure in state public and charter schools to protect students' health during outdoor activities and to develop a plan if the current practices are insufficient in managing heat exposure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates study and plan to protect student health during outdoor school activities, ensuring safe learning environment under education safety protocols.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 973: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires and appropriates funds to pay salary differentials to English language educators as an incentive to attract and retain these educators. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for educator salary differentials, directly funding an essential education program through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for salary differentials to attract/retain English language educators, directly supporting teacher compensation and retention in education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3189: RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

SB 3189 allocates state funds to the State Public Charter School Commission specifically for prekindergarten-only public charter schools. This bill directly affects those schools by providing dedicated funding for their operations. The key mechanism is a state appropriation to support early childhood education programs within this specific school type. It does not change eligibility rules or create new programs, only funding existing preK-only charter schools through the Commission. The bill is currently in committee referral after its initial introduction and first reading.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state appropriation ($50M) specifically for prekindergarten charter schools' operations, directly funding essential early education programs under budget management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to preK-only charter schools for early learning programs, directly funding existing educational services without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Early Childhood School Choice

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 3123: RELATING TO PRIVATE SUPPORT OF EDUCATION.

Clarifies that free tuition at private educational institutions or school-conditioned enrollment at private educational institutions where no tuition or other monetary consideration is required or paid by the recipient are to be considered conditional gifts that support educational advancements rather than contractual obligations unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies private tuition gifts as non-contractual educational support, enabling donor contributions to advance education without legal barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1223: RELATING TO WATER SAFETY.

SB 1223 requires the Department of Education to create a pilot program teaching water safety skills in schools, with state funds provided for this initiative. The program would establish standardized water safety education for students, directly affecting public school systems and students in participating districts. Key provisions include appropriating dedicated funding to develop and implement the pilot, which must follow established safety standards. The bill is currently pending introduction for the 2026 legislative session.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates state funds for DOE to implement water safety curriculum pilot in schools, directly advancing K-12 educational programming.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2374: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, to establish the Shade and Fruit Tree Program to support educational activities and encourage propagation of native shade trees and fruit trees for planting in Department of Education schools. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes Shade and Fruit Tree Program to support school educational activities and tree propagation, enhancing student engagement with native species.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes native tree planting for conservation, ecosystem health, and collaboration with forestry/wildlife divisions per bill's environmental focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Wildlife

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 239: RELATING TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS.

Requires certain state buildings, including public school buildings, for which construction is anticipated to commence on or after 7/1/2026 to be designed to withstand category five hurricanes and be used as shelters in the event of an emergency. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires public school buildings to withstand hurricanes, improving infrastructure safety per education topic indicators.90% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1489: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESIDENT TUITION FEE.

Requires the University of Hawaii to grant the resident tuition fee for enrollment at any University of Hawaii campus to individuals who have graduated from a Hawaii high school and are enrolling in an undergraduate degree program, under certain conditions. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGuarantees resident tuition rates for Hawaii high school graduates in UH undergrad programs, reducing costs and enhancing higher education access per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 98: RELATING TO AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENTS.

HB 98 authorizes public school complexes to use authentic assessments - such as student projects, presentations, or real-world tasks - instead of traditional tests for classroom performance evaluations. This policy change directly affects public schools and students by shifting how learning is measured in day-to-day teaching. The bill requires schools to incorporate these methods into regular classroom assessments, moving away from standardized testing for certain evaluations. It takes effect on July 1, 3000, as stated in the official abstract.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill replaces standardized testing with project-based assessments, enhancing curriculum flexibility and student evaluation methods per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SCR 6: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MAKE AVAILABLE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO THE PUBLIC DURING NON-PEAK HOURS AND NON-SCHOOL DAYS.

This resolution requests Hawaii's Department of Education to open public school recreational facilities (such as pools, gyms, and fields) to the public during non-peak hours and non-school days. It builds on existing rules requiring 10-day advance notice for public use, aiming to improve access for residents - particularly in low-income and rural communities - facing barriers to recreation. The resolution does not create new law but formally asks the Department to expand current access opportunities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requests expanded public access to school facilities, improving educational access for underserved communities per summary.90% confidence

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