SCR 195 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TO REVISE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS TO INCLUDE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A STANDALONE FINANCIAL LITERACY COURSE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests that Hawaii's Board of Education work with the Department of Education to change public high school graduation requirements so that students must complete a standalone financial literacy course. The bill addresses concerns that the current approach, which allows financial literacy to be integrated into other courses or the Personal Transition Plan, may not provide sufficient dedicated instruction and accountability. It proposes specific implementation steps including teacher professional development, funding identification, student completion tracking, and a curriculum based on community input. The resolution is based on evidence showing declining financial literacy among younger generations and the benefits of dedicated financial education for post-secondary success.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Mar 16, 2026 Signed Apr 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SCR195 → SCR195_HD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a specific implementation timeline for the new financial literacy course, requiring it to begin in the 2026-2027 school year. The resolution also expanded the Board of Education's duties to include collecting implementation data and submitting progress and final reports to the Legislature by set deadlines in 2027 and 2028. Additionally, the text was updated to formally name the 'Financial Literacy Task Force' and clarify the transmission of certified copies to the Board Chair and Superintendent.

Scope change

The bill's scope now includes specific mandates for data collection, progress reporting, and a defined start date for the program, moving from a general request to a more structured oversight framework.

TIMELINE

Added a requirement that the standalone financial literacy course be implemented beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

Added requirements for the Board to submit a progress report to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2027 Regular Session and a final report no later than twenty days before the 2028 Regular Session.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandate for the Board of Education to collect and analyze data on student enrollment, completion rates, and implementation barriers.

TECHNICAL

Updated the recipient of certified copies from the Superintendent and Chairperson to specifically the Chairperson of the Board and the Superintendent of Education.

DEFINITION

Formally defined the '2024 Financial Literacy Task Force' in the text where it was previously referred to without a formal title.

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

Amendments

Apr 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Resolution adopted in final form.

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Amended

Senate disagrees with House amendments.

upper

Apr 21, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 797).

upper

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2230-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending adoption.

lower

Apr 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Garrett, Olds, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Kapela, Kila.

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDN, referral sheet 28

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 506).

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted. Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3600) with recommendation of adoption.

upper

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. 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

Apr 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 04-06-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDU.

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

Offered.

upper

7 primary · 0 co-sponsors