SCR 198 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S PROCESS FOR ESTABLISHING, CLASSIFYING, AND APPROVING ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM POSITIONS, AND ITS SUPERVISION AND EVALUATION OF COMPLEX AREA SUPERINTENDENTS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive performance and fiscal audit of the Department of Education's governance structure and administrative leadership in Hawaii. The audit will examine the roles, responsibilities, staffing, and costs associated with key leadership positions including the State Superintendent, Deputy Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, and Complex Area Superintendents. The review will analyze whether these positions effectively support departmental goals, identify any overlapping duties, and provide recommendations for improving administrative efficiency and accountability. The Auditor is required to submit a detailed report with findings and potential legislative recommendations to the Legislature before the start of the 2027 session.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 16, 2026 Last action Apr 10, 2026

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What changed between versions

SCR198 → SCR198_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly narrowed from a broad request to audit the entire governance structure and fiscal costs of the Department of Education to a specific request to audit the processes for creating administrative positions and evaluating Complex Area Superintendents. This change shifts the focus from a general review of leadership roles and budget efficiency to a targeted investigation of how positions are approved and whether oversight of regional superintendents is effective.

Scope change

The audit scope was reduced from a comprehensive review of all administrative leadership roles and fiscal costs to a specific focus on the creation, classification, and approval of administrative positions, and the supervision and evaluation of Complex Area Superintendents.

SCOPE

The audit mandate was narrowed from a general review of the Department of Education's governance structure and fiscal costs to a specific focus on the processes for establishing administrative positions and evaluating Complex Area Superintendents.

Broad requests to audit the total fiscal cost of the leadership structure, the number of staff supporting each leader, and general opportunities to restructure or downsize were removed from the specific audit requirements.

REQUIREMENT

The bill now explicitly requires the audit to examine the statutory authority, creation processes, and justification criteria for new positions, as well as the Board of Education's oversight role.

New specific requirements were added to evaluate the supervision and performance evaluation of Complex Area Superintendents, including metrics, frequency, and alignment with student outcomes.

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

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 28

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 509) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3562) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

Apr 1, 2026

Committee

Re-Referred to EDU.

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDU, WAM.