Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 819: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to establish an international teacher license for certain visa holders and the requirements to obtain the international teacher license. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates international teacher license pathway to expand educator workforce, directly supporting teacher access and school staffing needs in Hawaii.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2215: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the - school year, requires public elementary, middle, and high school classes to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Requires the Department of Education to adjust state-provided bus and school meal schedules accordingly.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates later school start times to support student health and learning, aligning with educational best practices for K-12 student well-being.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety School Transportation

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 10, 2026

SB 3325: RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish an updated plan for maximizing Medicaid reimbursements for administrative and support services provided to students with special needs. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires maximizing Medicaid reimbursements for special education support services, directly increasing funding access for schools serving students with special needs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates maximizing Medicaid reimbursements for special needs school services, directly increasing healthcare funding access for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Health Medicaid

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 636: RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT.

Establishes a school capital improvement project modernization initiative in the School Facilities Authority to create a planning database for school facilities. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for school facilities modernization initiative, directly funding public infrastructure under state budget management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for school capital improvement modernization initiative and creates a planning database for school facilities, directly advancing K-12 infrastructure funding and modernization.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 2082: RELATING TO TEACHER WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes a Teacher Workforce Housing Stipend Program at public schools classified as rural or underserved. Requires the Department of Education to administer the program and report findings to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for teacher housing stipend program, directly funding a public service initiative under state budget authority.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds teacher housing stipends for rural/underserved schools to retain educators, directly supporting teacher workforce stability in education access areas.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds teacher housing stipends in underserved areas, directly advancing affordable housing access for educators through legislative appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers Affordable Housing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2466: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the department of education to prohibit electronic telecommunication device usage during the instructional day and implement a social media and artificial intelligence literacy education campaign. Creates exemptions for students requiring accommodations, emergency situations, and teacher authorizations. Requires the department of education to submit a report three years after the initial effective date, and then every five years thereafter.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI/social media literacy education campaign, advancing digital skills curriculum for students while restricting device use to enhance instructional focus.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits electronic device usage during instruction, restricting tech access in schools despite AI literacy education component.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Artificial Intelligence Social Media

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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

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 2517: RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

Establishes a statewide framework for the assessment and the award of academic credit for prior learning acquired through military service, workforce training, apprenticeships, professional certifications, and other structured learning experiences outside of traditional classrooms.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes credit framework for non-traditional learning, expanding higher education access without restrictions or funding cuts.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes military service in credit framework, enabling veterans to earn academic credit for military training, directly supporting educational advancement for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment Veteran Education

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2708: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Authorizes the issuance of GO bonds and appropriates funds for capital improvements for the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Agricultural Research and Extension Station on Kauai.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds capital improvements for University of Hawaii's agricultural college, directly supporting higher education infrastructure through appropriation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2016: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEM.

Requires the Board of Regents to grant a waiver on all tuition for qualifying native Hawaiian and Hawaiian students enrolled within the University of Hawaii System.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waiver for Native Hawaiian students, expanding access to higher education through direct financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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