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HB 2617 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

Summary
Establishes the Institute of Indigenous Education, Science, and Outreach within the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Authorizes the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund to include moneys from any revenue source and requires expenditures in the fund to be used to support the Imiloa Astronomy Center. Requires the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund to support the Hawaiian-Language-Medium Education Pathway. Establishes a cap on individual deposits into the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund and the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund support for Hawaiian-language education pathway, directing state funds to specific educational programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes Institute of Indigenous Education, mandates Hawaiian-Language-Medium Education Pathway funding, and directs trust fund support for educational programs at UH Hilo.95% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action Feb 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB2617 → HB2617_HD1 · 1 edit
MINOR
HB 2617 was amended to consistently refer to the 'Imiloa astronomy center' throughout the text, correcting a previous omission of the word 'astronomy.' The bill's substantive policy provisions, including funding mechanisms and the establishment of the Institute of Indigenous Education, Science, and Outreach, remain unchanged.
TECHNICAL

Updated all references to the 'Imiloa center' to 'Imiloa astronomy center' to ensure accurate naming and consistency with the institution's official title.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
Reported from HED (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 135-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
lower
Feb 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
The committee on HED recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Garrett, Amato, Evslin, Kapela, Kila, La Chica, Olds, Woodson, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Referred to HED, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 6
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Introduced
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Chris Todd
Chris Todd
DDemocratic
HI
3