Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1561: RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires public charter schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to provide free meals to students whose family income is no more than three hundred per cent of the federal poverty level. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires free school meals for low-income students via funding, expanding access to nutrition support critical for K-12 education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2374: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, to establish the Shade and Fruit Tree Program to support educational activities and encourage propagation of native shade trees and fruit trees for planting in Department of Education schools. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes Shade and Fruit Tree Program to support school educational activities and tree propagation, enhancing student engagement with native species.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes native tree planting for conservation, ecosystem health, and collaboration with forestry/wildlife divisions per bill's environmental focus.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2605: RELATING TO THE ARTS.

Establishes a position within the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to support implementation and coordination of specialized arts programs and therapeutic arts interventions for underserved and neurodiverse populations. Appropriates funds for the position, programs, and interventions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for specialized arts programs and a new position at the State Foundation, directly funding arts services for underserved populations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for specialized arts programs and therapeutic interventions targeting underserved/neurodiverse students, expanding educational access and support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds therapeutic arts interventions, a mental health service, for underserved populations under healthcare's mental health focus.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1770: RELATING TO SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a School Bus Driver Recruitment Grant Program. Establishes a School Bus Driver Recruitment Special Fund. Establishes a Repayment Signing Bonus Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates funding programs (Recruitment Grant, Special Fund) to recruit school bus drivers, ensuring student transportation access and supporting K-12 school operations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1598: RELATING TO THE HAWAII CLIMATE INSTITUTE.

Establishes the Hawaii Climate Institute at the University of Hawaii to support climate resilience and adaptation initiatives of the University and the State. Requires a percentage of the revenue generated by any increase to the Transient Accommodations Tax rates beginning on January 1, 2026, and by assessment of the Transient Accommodations Tax on gross rental proceeds derived from cruise fares to be allocated to the University of Hawaii annually to support the programs and operations of the Hawaii Climate Institute. Transfers the International Pacific Research Center of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology to the Hawaii Climate Institute. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates 6% of TAT revenue increases to fund Hawaii Climate Institute, directly using tax revenue for program funding per appropriation subject.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates 6% of Transient Accommodations Tax revenue to fund University of Hawaii's climate institute, supporting higher education programs and operations.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates 6% of tourism tax revenue to fund Hawaii Climate Institute for climate resilience programs, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 2617: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

Establishes the Institute of Indigenous Education, Science, and Outreach within the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Authorizes the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund to include moneys from any revenue source and requires expenditures in the fund to be used to support the Imiloa Astronomy Center. Requires the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund to support the Hawaiian-Language-Medium Education Pathway. Establishes a cap on individual deposits into the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund and the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund support for Hawaiian-language education pathway, directing state funds to specific educational programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes Institute of Indigenous Education, mandates Hawaiian-Language-Medium Education Pathway funding, and directs trust fund support for educational programs at UH Hilo.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 2565: RELATING TO TEACHERS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to provide monetary awards to educators who are recognized by the legislature, during education week, for their accomplishments, excellence in teaching, leadership, and service. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds to DOE for teacher awards, increasing education budget allocation per appropriation subject and funding public service program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for teacher recognition awards during Education Week, directly supporting educators through financial incentives for excellence and service.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 2304: RELATING TO PRIVATE SUPPORT OF EDUCATION.

Clarifies that free tuition at private educational institutions are to be considered conditional gifts that support educational advancements rather than contractual obligations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies private tuition as conditional gifts supporting educational advancements, enabling donor support without contractual obligations, thus facilitating educational funding mechanisms.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 542: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROMISE PROGRAM.

Expands the Hawaii promise program to provide scholarships for the unmet needs of qualified students at any four-year university of Hawaii campus who meet certain criteria. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds to expand university scholarships, directly funding a public education program through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands Hawaii Promise Program scholarships for University of Hawaii students, appropriates funds to increase higher education access and reduce financial barriers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 754: RELATING TO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

HB 754 allocates state funds to the Department of Education to support community schools and creates a dedicated program manager position. The bill directly affects community schools by providing financial resources and administrative oversight through the new role. Key provisions include funding for school-based services and a designated manager to coordinate programs. The bill becomes effective July 1, 3000 (as noted in the abstract). This is a funding measure focused on operational support, not policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds to community schools via appropriation, directly increasing budget allocation for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to DOE for community schools, creates program manager, and funds school-based services - directly advancing operational support and resources for K-12 community schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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