Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 249: RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

Appropriates funds for the Executive Office on Early Learning to contract with third-party providers of family-child interaction learning programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for early learning programs, directly supporting educational access and early childhood education within the topic scope.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1188: RELATING TO TEACHER WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes a Teacher Workforce Housing Stipend Program to support teacher retention at public and charter schools classified as hard-to-staff. Requires reports to the Legislature. Amends the purpose and uses of the Teachers' Housing Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for teacher housing stipends, directly funding a workforce program under budget management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes stipend program for teacher retention in hard-to-staff schools, directly supporting educator workforce stability through funding and program creation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds teacher housing stipends via new program and amends revolving fund, directly supporting affordable housing for educators.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds teacher housing stipends to improve retention at hard-to-staff schools, directly supporting workforce employment conditions through housing assistance.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 861: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Designates student transportation as critical infrastructure and a critical service for Hawaii's public education system. Requires all school bus contracts between the State and the contractor to include certain standards, performance metrics, and accountability requirements to prevent service disruptions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDesignates student transportation as critical infrastructure, ensuring reliable access to schools and preventing service disruptions that impact educational access.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationDesignates student transportation as critical infrastructure with mandatory standards to prevent service disruptions, strengthening transportation system reliability and accountability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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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