HB 637 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Summary

Requires the Department of Education to implement dyslexia-sensitive universal screenings and evidence-based interventions, offer professional development on structured literacy and evidenced-based interventions, and support pre-teacher programs in training candidates in structured literary instruction. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB637 → HB637_HD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to include an appropriation for dyslexia screening funds, updated the effective date to July 1, 3000, and refined the language regarding professional development and teacher training requirements. These changes ensure funding is explicitly allocated for the program and adjust the timeline for implementation.

Scope change

The bill's scope now explicitly includes an appropriation for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to cover the costs of dyslexia-sensitive universal screeners.

FISCAL

Added a specific appropriation section requiring funds from general revenues to pay for dyslexia-sensitive universal screeners for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years.

TIMELINE

Changed the bill's effective date from 'upon approval' to a fixed date of July 1, 3000.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the description of professional development to specify that staff in complex areas and public schools must be trained on structured literacy instruction.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title and header metadata to reflect House District 1 (HD1) and revised formatting for consistency.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to EDU, WAM.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 28).

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick, Templo, Ward excused (4). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Feb 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 14 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Alcos, Ward.

lower

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 345) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 11 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Garrett, Kapela, Kila, Olds, Sayama, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 2

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

11 primary · 1 co-sponsor