SB 3123 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO PRIVATE SUPPORT OF EDUCATION.

Summary

Clarifies that free tuition at private educational institutions or school-conditioned enrollment at private educational institutions where no tuition or other monetary consideration is required or paid by the recipient are to be considered conditional gifts that support educational advancements rather than contractual obligations unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 26, 2026 Signed Mar 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB3123 → SB3123_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision expands the scope of protection to include not only donor-funded scholarships but also school-funded enrollments where no tuition is charged. It clarifies that these educational benefits are conditional gifts rather than contractual obligations, unless the parties explicitly agree otherwise in writing. The changes aim to prevent students from facing legal penalties for failing to meet academic or conduct requirements, thereby encouraging private support for education.

Scope change

The bill now applies to both donor-conditioned educational awards and school-conditioned enrollments at private schools where no tuition or monetary consideration is required, whereas the original version only covered donor-conditioned awards.

SCOPE

Expanded applicability to include school-conditioned enrollments in addition to donor-funded scholarships.

DEFINITION

Added a specific exception clause stating that the gift status does not apply if the parties agree otherwise in writing.

REQUIREMENT

Updated language to clarify that schools, not just donors, may impose conditions like academic minimums or conduct standards without creating a contract.

ENFORCEMENT

Extended the protection against contractual claims to cover the termination of school-conditioned enrollments as well as donor awards.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata, including sponsor names, dates, and revision numbers.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 24, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 448).

upper

Mar 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Kahaloa, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Hashem, Sayama, Cochran.

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 15

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 29) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Fukunaga, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, Hashimoto ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC/EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 02-12-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to JDC/EDU.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors