Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 757: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires the Department of Education to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students enrolled in department schools. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates universal free school meals for all K-12 students, appropriates funds to expand access and support student well-being through direct education funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 617: RELATING TO NURSING.

HB 617 appropriates state funds to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College, effective July 1, 3000. The bill directly affects UH Maui College students and nursing education in Maui County by creating a new academic pathway for nursing degrees. Its key provision is the allocation of dedicated state funding to develop and operate this specific degree program. The bill does not alter existing nursing regulations or licensure requirements, focusing solely on program establishment through state appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds for a new BSN program at UH Maui College, directly expanding higher education access and funding for nursing education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds BSN program at UH Maui College, directly supporting nursing workforce development and healthcare education through state appropriation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 443: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

Appropriates funds for one retention coordinator position, one internship coordinator position, and student enrollment management initiatives at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for retention/internship coordinators and enrollment initiatives at UH Hilo, directly supporting student success and university operations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 288: RELATING TO SCHOOL BUS SERVICES.

Authorizes the Department of Education to use alternative vehicles for student transportation under certain conditions. Allows the Department of Education to institute a staggered school hours program in public schools. Appropriates funds for the purchase of alternative vehicles and individuals to obtain CDL licensure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for school bus alternatives and CDL training, directly funding public education transportation services under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for school transportation infrastructure (alternative vehicles, CDL licensure), directly supporting educational access and student mobility to schools.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAppropriates funds for alternative vehicles and CDL licensure, directly supporting school transportation infrastructure and safety under DOT/DOE oversight.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 842: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish additional permanent mental health practitioner positions within the Division of Student Success' Counseling and Student Development Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for mental health practitioners at UH Manoa, strengthening student support services within higher education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds for additional mental health practitioner positions at UH, directly expanding student mental health services funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1069: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

HB 1069 would add two voting members to the School Facilities Authority Board: one representing the Department of Education and another representing the Board of Education. These members would serve ex officio (in their official roles) and have voting power on the board. The bill directly affects how the School Facilities Authority makes decisions about school construction and maintenance projects. This change modifies the board's composition but does not alter education funding or student policies. (Note: The bill passed committee in February 2025 but remains pending legislative action.)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds DOE/BOE members to Facilities Board to improve school construction/maintenance decisions, enhancing infrastructure management per bill's direct focus on facility decision-making.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 624: RELATING TO SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS.

Creates a School Psychologists Working Group within the Department of Education to recommend actionable steps or propose legislation for an immediate pathway to licensure for school psychologists that can be acted upon in 2026. Requires a report to the Legislature. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Working Group to establish licensure pathway for school psychologists, enhancing mental health support access in K-12 schools.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 789: RELATING TO SCHOOL CAFETERIA MEAL COSTS.

Reduces the amount the Department of Education is authorized to charge for school meals to all students enrolled in department schools to no more than one-quarter of the cost of preparing the meals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill caps school meal charges at 25% of cost, increasing affordability/access for students, aligning with educational access support indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 707: RELATING TO THE COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM.

Establishes a state income tax deduction for contributions made to Hawaii 529 accounts through the college savings program and accounts made through the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program. Conforms to the amendments of the Internal Revenue Code that authorize 529 benefits to be used for K-12 educational expenses. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state income tax deduction for college savings contributions, providing tax relief for residents and aligning with federal education tax benefits.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes tax deduction for 529 savings allowing K-12 use, promoting educational savings access per IRS conformance.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 422: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by granting high school diplomas to veterans interrupted in education due to military service during WWII, Korean War, or Vietnam War.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes diplomas for veterans interrupted in education due to military service during WWII, Korea, or Vietnam, expanding educational benefits for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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