Education

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 127: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 26-08 REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HAWAII'S FARM-TO-SCHOOL AND LOCAL FOOD PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES.

This Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to form a working group to address findings from an auditor's report on the state's farm-to-school program. The bill directly affects the Department of Education, local farmers, food distributors, and school administrators by creating a collaborative body to improve local food procurement in public schools. The working group will include representatives from education, agriculture, schools, and community organizations to review audit findings and develop strategies for better data collection, procurement practices, and coordination between schools and local producers. The group must submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027 with recommendations for improving the implementation of Hawaii's local food sourcing goals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes working group to improve farm-to-school program, enhancing nutrition programs and local food access in schools, supporting educational initiatives.85% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 102: REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII BOARD OF REGENTS TO REVIEW AND REFINE THE OPERATIONAL MISSIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII'S FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS TO ENSURE THAT EACH CAMPUS FULFILLS A DISTINCT AND COMPLEMENTARY ROLE IN SERVING STUDENTS AND THE STATE.

This House Resolution asks the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to review and update the specific roles and missions of the system's four-year campuses. The request aims to ensure each campus has a clear, non-overlapping purpose that better serves students and the state's needs. The resolution directs the Board to consider workforce demands, student access, geographic coverage, and resource efficiency during this review. The Board must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by twenty days before the 2027 Regular Session begins. This document is a formal request rather than a law, as it relies on the Board of Regents' existing authority to manage university operations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill aims to clarify university missions to improve student access, workforce alignment, and resource efficiency in higher education.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 168: SUPPORTING THE REQUEST BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA FACULTY SENATE FOR A COMMITMENT FROM UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII LEADERS TO REMAIN STEADFAST IN VIGOROUSLY DEFENDING ANY AND ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY, OR STAFF WHO MAY BE ATTACKED FOR EXERCISING THEIR RIGHTS TO ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND FREE SPEECH.

This Senate Resolution expresses support for the University of Hawaii at Manoa Faculty Senate's request that university leaders commit to defending students, faculty, and staff who exercise their rights to academic freedom and free speech. The bill does not create new laws or change university policies but instead serves as a formal statement of legislative backing for the faculty senate's opposition to proposed "Time, Place, and Manner" restrictions on expressive activities. It calls on University of Hawaii leadership to maintain strong protections for free speech and academic freedom within the institution. The resolution directs copies to the Board of Regents, university president, and faculty senate administrative officer to ensure the commitment is communicated to key university officials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill supports academic freedom and free speech rights for students, faculty, and staff at University of Hawaii, protecting educational expression and institutional autonomy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 143: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO RECOGNIZE ROBOTICS AS AN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT AND DEDICATE FUNDING TO SUPPORT ROBOTICS PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE.

This bill is a non-binding resolution urging the Hawaii Department of Education to officially recognize robotics as an interscholastic sport and to allocate state funding to support robotics programs throughout the state. It highlights concerns that recent funding cuts and a lack of consistent resources have caused many school robotics teams to disband, threatening student access to STEM education and competitive opportunities. The resolution requests the Department of Education to conduct an assessment to determine the appropriate fiscal support needed to maintain these programs and directs copies of the resolution to key education officials. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create immediate legal obligations but serves as a formal recommendation to the Department of Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill requests state funding allocation for robotics programs, directly advocating for increased government spending on education initiatives.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill urges recognition of robotics as a sport and allocates funding to support STEM programs, expanding educational access and resources.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill advocates for robotics education funding and recognizes STEM programs, directly supporting technology advancement in schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 153: REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ENSURE GOOD FAITH IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS DOCTORAL EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY STIPEND AGREEMENTS AND TO ESTABLISH AND FUND APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST POSITIONS CONSISTENT WITH CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii State Department of Education to fulfill its contractual obligations to doctoral-level educational psychology stipend recipients by establishing and funding appropriate Educational Psychologist positions. The bill asks the department to provide a detailed report on the number of program participants, existing positions, and how current job classifications align with the doctoral training and licensure requirements originally promised. It specifically seeks clarification on whether Mental Health Interventionist roles adequately reflect the specialized education and skills of these professionals, and requests a plan to expand positions statewide to meet both student mental health needs and workforce commitments. The resolution aims to ensure fiscal accountability and fairness to professionals who made multi-year service agreements based on specific job classifications and placement guarantees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill requests funding for educational psychology positions and ensures contractual stipend commitments are fulfilled, supporting education budget allocation75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks to fulfill contractual obligations for educational psychology positions, ensuring funding and proper staffing for specialized educational roles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Student Health

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 110: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN MENSTRUAL HEALTH EDUCATION INITIATIVES AND TO ADOPT A COMPREHENSIVE MENSTRUAL CYCLE CURRICULUM.

This bill is a House Resolution that urges Hawaii's Department of Education to enhance menstrual health education in public schools. It directly affects students, educators, and school administrators by calling for the development of a comprehensive curriculum covering menstrual cycles, hygiene, and related health topics. The resolution specifies that the curriculum should be age-appropriate for grades three through twelve, include culturally responsive and inclusive content, and avoid fear-based or shame-based teaching methods. Additionally, it recommends providing age-appropriate books, anatomically correct diagrams, and ensuring materials are available in multiple languages to support diverse student needs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly urges DOE to strengthen menstrual health education and adopt comprehensive curriculum, directly enhancing educational programs and student access to health education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens menstrual health education in schools, improving access to health information and supporting student health outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HCR 47: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FOUNDATIONS IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS TO OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID TO GRADUATES AND PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE SCHOOLS.

This House Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to help public high schools create foundations that provide scholarships and financial aid to graduates while also supporting school funding needs. The bill aims to assist schools in navigating the complex process of establishing nonprofit organizations by offering guidance on legal requirements, financial management, and technology needs. It specifically asks the department to create a statewide resource development program to help school organizers overcome barriers to foundation establishment, though the Department of Education would not oversee the foundations once they are created. The resolution highlights that only a few schools currently have such foundations and seeks to expand this support across the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill seeks to establish school foundations to provide scholarships and financial support to schools, indicating support for education funding and resource development.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly requests funding and support for school foundations to provide scholarships and financial aid, directly strengthening educational access and resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Financial Aid

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 140: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA TO ADOPT ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING AS A PRIMARY STRATEGY TO ADDRESS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY STATEWIDE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution in Hawaii asks the Department of Education to study how mental health-related absences affect student attendance and well-being. The study will examine how often students miss school due to mental or behavioral health concerns, review policies in other states that allow such absences, and evaluate whether recognizing these absences as excused could improve student outcomes. The Department of Education is requested to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026, which may include suggestions for policy or legislative changes. This measure does not change current laws but seeks to gather data to inform future decisions about student attendance policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks to study mental health-related absences to improve student well-being and attendance, potentially expanding support for student health needs in education.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests study on mental health-related absences to potentially improve student outcomes and recognize mental health needs, indicating support for mental health services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Safety Student Health Mental Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 43: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE COST AND BENEFITS OF HIRING MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FOR EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL AND OF DISTRIBUTING GUIDELINES ON TELEHEALTH SAFE SPACES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to work with the Department of Health to study the costs and benefits of hiring mental health professionals in public schools. The study would examine staffing ratios, such as one professional for every 250 students or one per school with fewer students, and analyze guidelines for creating safe telehealth spaces during school hours. The resolution directs the departments to prepare a report with findings and recommendations for the Legislature by late 2026. This measure is a non-binding request for information gathering rather than a law that immediately changes policy.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill proposes hiring mental health professionals in schools and creating safe telehealth spaces, enhancing student well-being and educational access.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill proposes studying and implementing mental health professional staffing in public schools, directly supporting mental health services and student access to healthcare.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 96: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL, LONG-TERM COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM TO EXPAND, EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTE, AND SUSTAIN TREE-CANOPY COVERAGE ACROSS PUBLIC SCHOOLS STATE WIDE.

This Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Education to work together on a permanent program to increase tree coverage at public schools across the state. The bill aims to address heat exposure and improve conditions for students, particularly in lower-income communities where tree coverage is currently lower. It requests that the two agencies create a long-term plan for planting, maintaining, and selecting appropriate tree species while also supporting staff positions to manage the program. The resolution is non-binding and serves as a formal request for collaboration rather than a law that mandates specific actions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves school infrastructure by expanding tree canopy coverage to reduce heat exposure and enhance learning conditions, particularly in lower-income communities.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes tree canopy coverage to reduce heat exposure and improve environmental conditions in public schools, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation efforts.95% confidence

Track