Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 2880: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

SB 2880 clarifies that public charter school teachers qualify for the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program, which provides financial rewards to educators who earn national board certification. This change directly affects public charter school teachers in the state, removing a previous eligibility barrier for this specific incentive. The bill’s key mechanism is a straightforward clarification in program rules, ensuring charter school teachers can access the same incentives as teachers in traditional public schools. The bill is currently under review by the Education (EDU) committee, with a public hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves eligibility barrier for charter teachers to access certification incentives, directly supporting educator compensation and program access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 2872: RELATING TO RETIRED EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

Repeals the requirement that retirants rehired as teachers or administrators serve in a teacher shortage area identified by the Department of Education. Requires retirants rehired after 6/30/2026 as teachers or administrators in Department or charter schools to be paid the entry level salary for the teacher or administrator position as negotiated in the collective bargaining unit contract. Prohibits retirants rehired after 6/30/2026 from receiving additional employment benefits. Requires the DOE to adopt rules. (SD1)

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationReduces benefits for rehired retirees by capping pay at entry level and prohibiting additional benefits, directly limiting teacher compensation.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRequires rehired retirants to accept entry-level pay and prohibits additional benefits, reducing compensation compared to prior roles and limiting employment benefits.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 533: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to support public schools impacted by a local investor‑owned electric utility's planned public safety power shutoff program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds to Department of Education for public schools impacted by power shutoffs, directly funding essential education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds to Department of Education for public schools impacted by power shutoffs, directly advancing school funding support under education topic.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1622: RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Establishes and appropriates funds to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaii to develop, support, and advance artificial intelligence initiatives statewide. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for UH's Aloha Intelligence Institute to advance AI initiatives, directly funding higher education innovation and statewide educational development.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill appropriates funds to establish an AI institute for statewide development and advancement, directly advancing AI technology initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 637: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

SB 637 allocates state funds to support various nursing education programs within the University of Hawaii System. It directly affects the University of Hawaii System by providing dedicated financial resources for these specific nursing initiatives. The bill's key mechanism is the appropriation of state budget funds to cover program costs, though it does not specify exact program details. The funding becomes effective on July 31, 2050.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state budget funds for nursing education programs, directly funding essential public services within UH System.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to nursing programs at UH System, directly funding higher education initiatives per bill's appropriation language.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds to nursing education programs, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and training within the University of Hawaii System.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1391: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education for teacher‑requested classroom supplies; provided that the private sector contributes matching funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for education supplies with private matching, increasing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates state funds for teacher-requested classroom supplies with private matching, directly advancing school resource access and teacher support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 530: RELATING TO BRAILLE LITERACY.

Establishes Braille literacy as a policy of the State. Requires literacy assessments for eligible low vision and blind students to include Braille instruction and the use of Braille. Authorizes the Department of Education to adopt administrative rules. Establishes the Braille Literacy Resource Center. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for Braille Literacy Resource Center and Braille instruction, directly funding an educational program per budget policy.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates Braille literacy in assessments for low vision/blind students, establishes a Resource Center, and appropriates funds to advance educational access for visually impaired students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 757: RELATING TO LIBRARIES.

Requires reasonable terms in license agreements for digital literary materials between libraries and publishers. Defines prohibited terms for license agreements between libraries and publishers. Declares offer of a license agreement with a prohibited term an unfair or deceptive act. Makes a license agreement with a prohibited term void and unconscionable. Creates a right of action by libraries, library officers and borrowers. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures libraries can access digital materials via fair license terms, supporting educational access through public libraries' resource availability.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires fair terms in library-publisher digital license agreements, preventing unfair access barriers and promoting equitable digital resource availability for public libraries.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1530: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Requires the Board of Regents or the President of the University of Hawaii to allocate general funds appropriated to the University of Hawaii to University of Hawaii program IDs in accordance with performance-based outcomes relating to student achievement and degree attainment. Requires the President to submit reports to the Legislature. Requires the President to propose at least three efficiency measures to the Director of Finance to produce a more effective budget.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates performance-based funding for UH tied to student achievement and degree attainment, directing resources toward measurable educational outcomes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1490: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RELIEF FUNDING.

Amends the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund by allowing the Board of Regents to dedicate funding for student aid in direct response to an emergency or disaster, as declared by the Governor. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows emergency funding for UH student aid, directly supporting higher education access and financial assistance for students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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