Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2548: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish geographically based capital improvement project districts for the localized management of deferred maintenance. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill transfers funds and functions to address school facility maintenance, directly improving infrastructure which supports educational environments per indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2549: RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Education to hire a new contractor or contractors with the Governor's approval if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days. Requires the DOE to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a contracted route without an approved justification. Specifies that the assessed penalties be deposited into the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund. Beginning 7/1/2026, requires all requests for proposals issued and contracts executed by the DOE for student transportation services to specifically reference certain new provisions. Authorizes the use of the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services. Requires quarterly reports to the Legislature. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures reliable student transportation by penalizing contractors and funding a revolving fund, directly supporting educational access and school operations.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill ensures school bus service continuity via penalties and revolving fund, protecting student transportation reliability within transportation infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 3047: RELATING TO FINANCIAL LITERACY.

Requires the Department of Education to implement financial literacy instruction into existing courses in public high schools that have sufficient overlap with financial literacy program standards beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. Requires the Board of Education to provide professional development to teachers. Authorizes the Board of Education to adopt rules. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds for financial literacy education, aligning with fiscal responsibility and funding essential programs per budget/taxes topic indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy curriculum integration, funds implementation, and requires teacher professional development - directly advancing educational content and resources in K-12 schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 3116: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Updates Hawaii's statutory framework for adult and community education programs to ensure alignment with federal funding requirements and current best practices in those programs. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates statutory framework to align with federal requirements and best practices, strengthening adult education program structure and compliance.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 3050: RELATING TO A MARITIME YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAY PROGRAM.

Requires Honolulu Community College, in partnership with state agencies and maritime employers, to conduct a study and develop a plan for a statewide Maritime Youth Apprenticeship Pathway Program for individuals ages 16 to 24. Requires a report to the Legislature with recommendations on program structure, resource needs, proposed legislation and implementation options. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for a community college-led maritime apprenticeship program, expanding educational pathways for youth (16-24) through workforce development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 3024: RELATING TO SEX-BASED DISCRIMINATION.

Clarifies and strengthens the State's protections against sex-based harassment, sex discrimination, and retaliation that occur in public schools, public charter schools, or at the University of Hawaii, including discrimination based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and pregnancy-related conditions. Establishes procedures for investigations and decision-making. Requires mandatory reporting by certain employees. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to conduct a comprehensive legal review. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly strengthens protections against sex discrimination and harassment in public schools/universities, advancing safe educational environments and access as required by Title IX.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens workplace protections against sex-based discrimination, harassment, and retaliation for employees in public schools/universities, directly advancing labor rights standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2612: RELATING TO MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION IN SCHOOLS.

Clarifies that the Department of Education and its employees and agents shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability arising from assisting students with the administration of medication under certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies immunity for DOE staff administering school medication, enabling safer student care without legal barriers, thus supporting school health access and operational continuity.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides immunity for school staff administering medication, enabling consistent access to school health services without liability concerns, supporting student healthcare access.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 2412: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to establish a bachelor's degree program in American Sign Language interpretation at the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus with a multi-year plan to include a master's degree program for interpreter training. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds to establish ASL interpreter degree programs at University of Hawaii, expanding higher education access and supporting communication needs in education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 2754: RELATING TO CIVIC EDUCATION.

Establishes a Civic Education Grant Program to provide support to public middle and intermediate schools in providing civic education to students through department approved programming. Establishes a Civic Education Trust Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a state-funded Civic Education Trust Fund and Grant Program, directly allocating budget resources to public schools for civic education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes Civic Education Grant Program and Trust Fund to fund civic education programming in public middle/intermediate schools, directly advancing educational programming.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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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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