SB 895 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Based solely on the provided context, SB 895 is a short-form education bill with no substantive policy details available in the abstract or summary. The bill has undergone procedural steps (referred to the Education committee, carried over to the 2026 session) but contains no description of specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties. The official abstract states "Short form bill," indicating it lacks content for a substantive summary. Therefore, no policy changes or concrete details can be described.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Mar 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB895_SD1 → SB895_SD1_PROPOSED · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill shifts kindergarten assessment authority from a standardized, externally administered test to a teacher-led observational approach. It removes requirements for commercial testing instruments and repeals the specific statute governing the old standardized test, aiming to reduce costs and administrative burdens while focusing on student development.

Scope change

The bill applies to all public and charter school kindergarten students but changes the method of assessment from a uniform statewide test to individual teacher observations.

REQUIREMENT

Eliminates the requirement for a standardized, commercially developed kindergarten entry assessment administered within the first thirty days of school.

Mandates that kindergarten teachers conduct their own observational assessments covering development, school readiness, and prior preschool experience.

Clarifies that assessment information cannot be used for student retention, high-stakes accountability, school ranking, or teacher evaluation.

Prohibits the use of external certification or training for administering assessments, relying instead on standard teacher training.

REMOVED

Repeals Section 302A-1165, which previously established the legal framework and specific requirements for the standardized entry assessment.

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 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 15

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 7) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Gabbard). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading.

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in EDU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Fukunaga.

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-26 1:02PM; CR 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted, as amended (SD 1) and recommitted to EDU.

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2242) as amended (SD 1), with recommendation of recommittal to EDU.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS and be recommitted. The votes in EDU were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga.

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDU will hold a public decision making on 02-11-26 1:29PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to EDU.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors