Education

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1605: RELATING TO HUMAN AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience for the development of its human and community resilience institute. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for a University of Hawaii institute (higher education), directly funding institutional development within the education sector.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1751: RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Authorizes the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified personnel in the Hawaii National Guard. Effective 1/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance for graduate degrees at UH, increasing higher education access for National Guard members through STAP funding.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands Hawaii National Guard tuition assistance to include graduate degrees, directly advancing veteran education benefits and career opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 99: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

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)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables retirees to fill law enforcement roles (school resource officers) in critical positions, addressing labor shortages within criminal justice workforce needs.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables retirees to fill school resource officer roles without losing benefits, addressing labor shortages in K-12 school staffing per DOE designation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement School Safety

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 201: RELATING TO STUDENT OUT-OF-SERVICE-AREA ATTENDANCE.

Prohibits the Department of Education from mandating that any student attend a school outside the student's service area. Establishes a 5 year phaseout period. Requires the DOE to submit annual progress reports.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prohibits mandatory out-of-area school attendance, enabling students to remain in local service area schools and directly supports educational access by preventing forced relocation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Transportation

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 3234: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

SB 3234 appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation to install all-way crosswalks at locations directly adjacent to school properties. This bill directly affects schools, students, and staff by funding physical safety infrastructure at school entrances and exits. The key provision requires the Department of Transportation to use allocated money for these specific crosswalk installations. The bill is currently under review by the TRS and WAM committees, with a public hearing scheduled for February 10, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for school safety infrastructure, directly funding a public service under budget allocation; aligns with 'funds essential programs' indicator.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds school safety infrastructure (crosswalks at entrances) to protect students/staff, directly enhancing educational access and safety per Safe Routes to School program.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds all-way crosswalks at schools for traffic safety, directly enhancing pedestrian infrastructure within transportation safety framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

passed both · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2437: RELATING TO ARTS EDUCATION.

HB 2437 allocates state funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to support its "Artists in the Schools" program. This program directly brings professional artists into public schools to provide hands-on arts education. The bill provides concrete funding for the program's operations, including artist stipends and materials. It affects participating public schools and their students by expanding access to in-person arts instruction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for arts education program, increasing public service funding under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to expand in-person arts education access via Artists in the Schools program, directly funding artist stipends and materials for public schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1294: RELATING TO RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.

Requires all playgrounds located in state and county parks and on public school grounds to include special needs recreational playground equipment as part of the recreational apparatuses by 6/30/2027, including at a minimum a wheelchair accessible swing set. Establishes the Special Needs Recreational Playground Equipment Special Fund. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates accessible playground equipment on public school grounds by 2027 with dedicated funding, directly enhancing school infrastructure accessibility and compliance with special needs requirements.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 2617: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

Establishes the Institute of Indigenous Education, Science, and Outreach within the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Authorizes the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund to include moneys from any revenue source and requires expenditures in the fund to be used to support the Imiloa Astronomy Center. Requires the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund to support the Hawaiian-Language-Medium Education Pathway. Establishes a cap on individual deposits into the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund and the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund support for Hawaiian-language education pathway, directing state funds to specific educational programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes Institute of Indigenous Education, mandates Hawaiian-Language-Medium Education Pathway funding, and directs trust fund support for educational programs at UH Hilo.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2518: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

HB 2518 requires the University of Hawaii system to create a comprehensive master plan for its facilities and student housing, along with annual progress reports to the Hawaii Legislature. This bill directly affects the University of Hawaii system by mandating a coordinated strategy for campus infrastructure and housing development. Key provisions include developing the master plan within a specified timeframe and submitting detailed reports to lawmakers on implementation. The bill aims to provide structured oversight for long-term planning of university facilities and student housing needs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates master plan for university facilities/housing, improving infrastructure and student access in higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 1895: RELATING TO EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.

Includes the disruption or interference with the administration or functions of any school, school administration office, or school board in the offense of harassment. Elevates the penalty for harassment to a misdemeanor when the recipient is an educational worker.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects educational workers by elevating harassment penalties to misdemeanor, directly supporting teacher safety and well-being in schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentElevates harassment penalties against educational workers, strengthening workplace safety protections for a specific labor group.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

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