Education

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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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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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 · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 841: RELATING TO RETIRED TEACHERS.

Amends the break in service requirement for retirants to six months before they can be rehired as teachers or administrators in teacher shortage areas or in hard-to-fill positions. Prohibits rehired retirants from receiving additional employment benefits. Directs the Department of Education to adopt rules to identify teacher shortage areas and hard-to-fill positions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends break-in-service to six months for retired teachers in shortage areas, enabling faster rehiring to address teacher shortages and hard-to-fill positions.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentProhibits additional employment benefits for rehired retired teachers, restricting benefits in labor policy context.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 863: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

HB 863 allocates state funds to the Department of Education specifically for teacher-requested classroom supplies, such as books, art materials, or technology. This bill directly affects public school teachers and students in K-12 classrooms, as it provides resources based on educators' identified needs. The key mechanism is a direct appropriation of funds, requiring the Department of Education to distribute these resources to schools upon request. The bill takes effect on July 1, 3000, as stated in the official abstract. It passed committee with amendments in February 2025, moving forward in the legislative process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirectly appropriates state funds for K-12 classroom supplies, increasing education budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds for teacher-requested classroom supplies (books, tech, art), directly supporting K-12 educators and students' resource needs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly allocates state funds for teacher-requested technology supplies in K-12 classrooms, directly advancing educational technology access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 730: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Establishes, and appropriates funds for, five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the Civil Rights Compliance Branch of the Department of Education. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for 5 new civil rights compliance positions within Education Department, directly funding a government program per explicit appropriation subject.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for five equity specialists in Civil Rights Compliance Branch to advance educational equity within Department of Education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 619: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Board of Education to adopt and enact a policy by the 2026-2027 school year directing Department of Education public schools to incorporate financial literacy education in the school's curriculum. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy curriculum in public schools, enhancing educational content and curriculum standards directly supporting K-12 education policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1346: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement negotiated for Bargaining Unit (5) and subject to the availability of funds, provides annual salary step increases for public school teachers who have completed a year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates existing budget funds for teacher salary increases, directly funding public education services per collective bargaining agreement.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides annual salary step increases for public school teachers, directly supporting educator compensation and retention.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides annual salary step increases for teachers per collective bargaining agreement, directly advancing wage compensation for educators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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