HB 2301 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO SCHOOL LICENSURE.

HB 2301 transfers the licensing authority for private trade, vocational, and technical schools in Hawaii from the Department of Education to the University of Hawaii. This change directly affects private schools offering career-focused training, as they would now report to the University of Hawaii for licensing oversight instead of the Department of Education. The bill’s key mechanism is the formal transfer of regulatory responsibility for these schools’ operations and compliance. The legislation does not alter school curriculum or funding but shifts administrative oversight to the University of Hawaii.

Tags: Licensing

Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 26, 2026 Last action Feb 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB2301 → HB2301_HD1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill transfers the authority to license private trade, vocational, and technical schools from the Department of Education to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The change aims to better align consumer protection and oversight with the department's existing expertise, replacing the University of Hawaii as the licensing body.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's primary function shifted from the University of Hawaii to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, which now assumes responsibility for licensing, rule-making, and enforcement regarding these schools.

SCOPE

Licensing authority was transferred from the University of Hawaii to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

DEFINITION

The definition of the responsible agency was updated to refer to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs instead of the University of Hawaii.

REQUIREMENT

All references to submitting forms, paying fees, and seeking bond reductions were updated to direct applicants to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

ENFORCEMENT

Complaints regarding unfair practices and license suspensions are now handled by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 3000.

TECHNICAL

Existing rules and contracts previously held by the Department of Education are now transferred to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, with references updated accordingly.

Floor votes · House Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

47–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 50

Feb 17, 2026

D Democratic40

38 Yea 2

95% Yea

R Republican10

9 Yea 1

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 17, 2026

Committee

Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 318-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.

lower

Feb 17, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (47-0-3)

house

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to EDN, CPC, referral sheet 11

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Garrett, Kapela, Kila, Olds, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDN, HED, CPC, referral sheet 5

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors