Provides annual salary step increases for public schools and public charter school teachers who have completed one year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements, if negotiated into a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to section 89-9, HRS, and subject to funds appropriated by the Legislature. (CD1)
HB 2296 reduces the minimum revenue requirement the Department of Education must recover from school meal charges in state-operated public schools. This means schools would need to cover less cost through meal fees, potentially allowing for lower prices or reduced financial pressure on meal programs. The bill directly affects all public schools managed by the Department of Education, changing how they calculate required meal revenue. It does not alter meal eligibility or nutritional standards, focusing solely on the financial recovery target.
Requires the Department of Education to establish an updated plan for maximizing Medicaid reimbursements for administrative and support services provided to students with special needs. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. (CD1)
By 1/1/2027, requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt and post written policies that identify nonpublic areas, establish procedures for warrant verification and staff response, prohibit the collection of certain immigration-status data, and require annual staff training and certain multilingual notices. Requires the Attorney General to publish model policies. (CD1)
SB 3238 establishes a language access education and workforce development program at the University of Hawaii to train professionals in providing language services. It appropriates state funds to support this program, which directly affects communities with limited English proficiency and government agencies needing interpreters or translators. The key mechanism is creating a dedicated training initiative at UH to build a skilled workforce for language access services. This bill focuses on concrete policy changes by funding workforce development rather than altering existing services or regulations.
Appropriates funds to establish a bachelor's degree program in agricultural science at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu; to fund one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position; and for supplies and equipment to support the programs. (CD1)
HB 2171 authorizes the University of Hawaii to engage in business-like activities for educational purposes, directly affecting the university's ability to operate revenue-generating projects tied to student learning. The bill permits UH to run ventures such as student-run businesses, research commercialization, or educational services that generate income while supporting academic goals. Key provisions remove legal barriers preventing the university from conducting these activities under its existing educational mission. This change allows UH to expand practical learning opportunities without requiring separate legislative approvals for each initiative.
Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as a school resource officer identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or other law enforcement agency as a labor shortage or difficult-to-fill position and stationed at a public school, subject to certain conditions. Establishes criteria for various agencies to use in identifying labor shortage or difficult-to-fill positions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction or the human resources management chief executive of each county to include in their annual reports to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as school resource officers. (CD1)
Increases the expenditure ceiling and appropriates funds out of the State Risk Management Revolving Fund to distribute property and liability insurance proceeds related to the 2023 Maui wildfires to be expended by the School Facilities Authority, Department of Transportation, and Department of Land and Natural Resources to rebuild and restore certain state facilities in Lahaina. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to submit to the Legislature a master coordinated project plan developed in collaboration with certain state agencies and in consultation with the County of Maui and other relevant entities. Requires the Department of Education to transfer exclusive site control over the new King Kamehameha III Elementary School property to the SFA while the School is under construction. Requires DAGS to transfer to the SFA any materials deemed necessary for the construction of the School and to provide further support as necessary upon request. Requires the SFA to submit monthly progress reports to the Governor and Legislature. Allows the Governor to transfer certain authorities and responsibilities from the SFA to another state agency under certain conditions. Requires full funding for the projects for which funds are appropriated to be available before expenditure. (CD1)
Authorizes the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to issue revenue bonds for the purpose of financing qualifying priority capital improvement projects. Appropriates funds. (CD1)
