HR 177 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO BEGIN INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS TEACHER RETENTION IN THE STATE.

This House Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Education to develop and implement initiatives aimed at improving teacher retention across the state. It calls for the department to conduct research on factors contributing to teacher attrition, including compensation and housing challenges, and to establish an advisory board with diverse representation from educators, students, and community members. The resolution also encourages expanded recognition and appreciation efforts for teachers throughout the year. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal request for the department to take action on this issue.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 16, 2026 Last action Apr 6, 2026

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What changed between versions

HR177 → HR177_HD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was updated from a draft version to House Draft 1, changing the core request from urging the Department of Education to create a new advisory board to requesting the existing Teacher Education Coordinating Committee to submit a strategic plan update. The scope of recipients for the final report was expanded to include the University of Hawaii leadership, and the timeline was set for submission before the 2027 legislative session.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from proposing the creation of a new advisory board to leveraging an existing committee's strategic plan for teacher retention.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement changed from establishing a new advisory board to requesting an update from the existing Teacher Education Coordinating Committee.

TIMELINE

A specific deadline was added for the report submission: twenty days before the convening of the 2027 Regular Session.

SCOPE

The list of recipients for the report was expanded to include the President and Dean of the University of Hawaii.

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 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Resolution adopted in final form.

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Adopted as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Olds, Quinlan excused (3).

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1805-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending adoption.

lower

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Kapela, Olds; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 4 Excused: Representative(s) Garrett, Kila, Muraoka, Souza.

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

Offered

lower

11 primary · 0 co-sponsors