Education

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 absent

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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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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1217: RELATING TO POSITIONS AT THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine for faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics, and an environmental health and safety officer staff position. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds faculty positions at University of Hawaii's medical school (higher education) through appropriations, directly strengthening institutional capacity and educational offerings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds medical school faculty positions in health fields (cardiovascular, tropical medicine, etc.), directly advancing healthcare workforce development and research capacity.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 527: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds for the establishment of five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the Civil Rights Compliance Branch of the Department of Education. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for 5 FTE civil rights positions in DOE, directly advancing public service funding within budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for civil rights equity specialists in DOE, advancing educational equity and compliance within education system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 422: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by granting high school diplomas to veterans interrupted in education due to military service during WWII, Korean War, or Vietnam War.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes diplomas for veterans interrupted in education due to military service during WWII, Korea, or Vietnam, expanding educational benefits for veterans.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 420: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Allows newly graduated high school students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in Department of Education-sponsored work-based learning programs. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables workers' comp for students in DOE work-based learning programs, enhancing access to educational internships and supporting student participation in structured learning opportunities.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends workers' compensation coverage to recent graduates in work-based programs, enhancing worker safety benefits for a vulnerable group.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 636: 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 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for retention/internship coordinators and enrollment initiatives at UH Hilo, directly enhancing student support services and access in higher education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1489: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESIDENT TUITION FEE.

Requires the University of Hawaii to grant the resident tuition fee for enrollment at any University of Hawaii campus to individuals who have graduated from a Hawaii high school and are enrolling in an undergraduate degree program, under certain conditions. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGuarantees resident tuition rates for Hawaii high school graduates in UH undergrad programs, reducing costs and enhancing higher education access per topic description.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1487: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII REVENUE BONDS.

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. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes revenue bonds and appropriates funds for UH capital projects, directly advancing budget allocation for public infrastructure under Appropriations ($).95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes UH revenue bonds for capital improvement projects, directly funding higher education infrastructure at University of Hawaii.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 421: RELATING TO LITERACY.

Requires the Department of Education to administer a general dyslexia screening to all students in kindergarten through grade three. Requires the Department of Education to continue to administer the general English language arts universal screening for students in kindergarten through grade nine. Requires the Department of Education to collaborate with teacher training programs to ensure prospective candidates are trained on literacy instruction, including evidence-based intervention, to support all students. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires dyslexia/English language arts screenings for K-9 and mandates evidence-based teacher training for literacy instruction, directly advancing student reading proficiency and educator preparedness.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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