This House Resolution urges the Governor of Hawaii to reconsider the decision to exclude the state from the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program, which would allow families to use federal tax credits to fund scholarships for private school tuition and education services. The program, set to begin in 2027, is funded through private donations and federal tax incentives rather than state money, and it is available only to states that opt in. Currently, 23 states have chosen to participate, while Hawaii has not, meaning local families would miss out on additional funding opportunities for education choice options. The resolution highlights that Hawaii's current proficiency rates in reading and math are low, suggesting that participating could provide more financial resources to support students.
This bill is a non-binding resolution that urges Hawaii's Department of Education to support academic flexibility for students with chronic and autoimmune illnesses. It directly affects students managing conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and type I diabetes, particularly those from Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities who face higher rates of these illnesses. The resolution asks the Department of Education to encourage schools to provide flexible attendance and assignment deadlines during medically documented illness flare-ups, promote consistent implementation of existing accommodations under Section 504, and improve coordination for students who need to travel off-island for specialized medical care. The bill relies on the Department's existing authority to issue guidance rather than creating new funding requirements.
This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create a standardized emergency response plan for immigration enforcement activities occurring within 1,000 feet of public schools or at school-related events. The plan would provide clear guidance to school staff on how to handle encounters with federal immigration officers while prioritizing student safety and minimizing disruption to learning. Key provisions include protocols for enforcement presence, student protection measures, communication with parents, staff training, and coordination with state agencies. The resolution also mandates periodic reviews of the plan to ensure it remains current with changing laws and best practices.
This bill encourages the Hawaii State Department of Education to collaborate with the Office of Hawaiian Education to form a working group that would plan for a new K-12 Hawaiian language immersion campus in West O'ahu. The working group would include representatives from state agencies, universities, community organizations, and local families to study potential locations, enrollment needs, staffing requirements, and governance structures. The group is required to meet quarterly for one year and submit a report with recommendations and a roadmap to establish the campus by 2040. This resolution does not authorize funding or mandate the creation of the school, but rather directs state agencies to begin planning and research.
This House Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create a standardized swimmer classification system for public schools to improve water safety education. The bill directs the department to adopt a framework developed by Leahi Swim School and Na Kama Kai, which defines three proficiency levels: Swimmer, Water Safe Individual, and Water Smart Individual. Each level includes specific criteria such as swimming distances, treading water duration, stroke proficiency, and knowledge of ocean safety and environmental responsibility. The resolution aims to ensure consistent water-safety benchmarks across schools for physical education, athletics, and enrichment programs.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Education to inform students aged 16 and older about how to preregister to vote before they turn 18. The bill directs schools to provide specific guidance on voter eligibility, registration procedures, and opportunities to volunteer at voter service centers, while also making paper registration forms and disability accommodations resources available. It designates the final two weeks of September each year as a dedicated period for voter registration activities in high schools, aiming to increase civic engagement among youth. As a non-binding resolution, it does not mandate compliance but formally requests the Department of Education to implement these educational initiatives.
This House Resolution asks Hawaii's members of Congress to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture to explain why it has delayed updating school lunch nutrition rules to match the latest dietary guidelines. The bill directly affects Hawaii public schools, which rely on these federal standards to plan menus and meet local goals for sourcing 30% of food from Hawaii by 2030. It highlights that current delays make it difficult for schools to plan meals and that only 5.43% of school food spending went to local products in 2024, far below the state's target. The resolution requests that federal officials provide more information about upcoming changes and address the gap between released dietary guidelines and updated school nutrition standards.
This House Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Education to work with teachers to create an artificial intelligence literacy curriculum for students in grades six through twelve. The bill requests that the curriculum be developed using peer-reviewed research, global AI literacy frameworks, and existing local resources while focusing on ethical use, equitable access, and regular assessments. By establishing this educational framework, the resolution aims to prepare students for an increasingly technology-driven workforce without mandating specific curriculum content or funding.
This Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a study on the state's food manufacturing strengths and identify strategic export markets for local high-value products. The study will analyze competitive advantages, calculate minimum profit margins needed to offset Hawaii's high operational costs, and assess logistical barriers to international trade. It also directs the University of Hawaii to update its food innovation curriculum based on the findings and requires collaboration with state agencies to align workforce development programs and future facility planning with the study's recommendations.
This Senate Resolution asks the State Auditor to review the Department of Education's list of unfinished school construction and renovation projects. The audit will examine how much money has been spent on each project, why some are delayed or over budget, and how much additional funding is needed to finish them. The goal is to provide a clear picture of the state's school infrastructure needs and suggest ways to manage future projects more effectively. The Auditor must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.
