HR 15 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

This House Resolution (HR 15) requests collaboration between Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Education, and State Public Charter School Commission to create a student-led coral stewardship program. The program would educate students and the public about reef-safe sunscreen practices (avoiding harmful chemicals like oxybenzone) and promote coral reef protection at state beaches. It requires the departments to develop the program and submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027, including student input and recommendations for future action. The initiative directly affects public charter schools and students, focusing on voluntary education rather than enforcement.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 20, 2026 Last action Apr 9, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HR15_HD1 → HR15_HD2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift the primary responsibility for the Student Coral Stewardship Program from the Department of Education to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). This change recognizes DLNR's existing expertise in coral reef science and data, positioning them to lead the program while collaborating with the Department of Education and the State Public Charter School Commission. Consequently, the reporting requirement was reassigned to DLNR, ensuring the agency leading the initiative is also accountable for submitting progress reports to the Legislature.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from an education-led initiative to a resource management-led initiative, changing the lead agency responsible for developing the program and submitting reports.

REQUIREMENT

The lead agency for developing the Student Coral Stewardship Program was changed from the Department of Education to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The agency responsible for submitting the annual progress report to the Legislature was changed from the Department of Education to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

A new clause was added acknowledging the Department of Land and Natural Resources' capability to provide status updates, threat assessments, and reef-safe practice recommendations.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting changes were made to the bill header, including updating the bill number from H.D. 1 to H.D. 2 and adjusting associated metadata.

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

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Resolution adopted in final form.

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Adopted as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1865-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending adoption.

lower

Apr 7, 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

Apr 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on EDN as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Committee

Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1736-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending referral to EDN.

lower

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Belatti, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Poepoe, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Woodson.

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to WAL, EDN, referral sheet 15

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Introduced

Offered

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Introduced

To be offered.

lower

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors