Education

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 49: REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII BOARD OF REGENTS TO CONDUCT A SYSTEMWIDE ASSOCIATE DEGREE COMPLETION AUDIT.

This bill requests the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to conduct a systemwide audit to identify students who have earned enough credits for an associate degree but have not been awarded one. The audit will focus on students who transferred from community colleges to four-year campuses or those who started at four-year campuses and left before completing their degrees. The university is asked to examine administrative barriers, transfer patterns, and financial factors that may prevent these students from receiving their credentials. The Board of Regents must submit findings and recommendations for establishing degree award pathways to the Legislature by March 2027. This resolution does not directly award degrees but initiates a review process to potentially create new policies for recognizing earned academic credits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes educational access by identifying students who earned associate degrees but weren't awarded them, addressing administrative barriers to degree completion.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 128: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL LITERACY, CREDIT READINESS, AND HOMEOWNERSHIP PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMS.

This bill requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to expand and strengthen programs focused on financial literacy, credit readiness, and homeownership preparedness for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The resolution asks the department to partner with financial educators, credit counselors, and lenders to provide pre-award education, post-award support, culturally responsive materials, and to explore additional funding sources. The department is also required to submit a detailed report to the Legislature by early 2027 outlining program improvements, participant numbers, and measurable outcomes related to lease stability and credit improvement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens financial literacy and homeownership programs for Native Hawaiians, promoting fiscal responsibility and economic stability through expanded support services.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands financial literacy and credit readiness programs for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, enhancing educational access and financial education services.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens homeownership programs and financial literacy for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, directly supporting housing development and access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 53: REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII BOARD OF REGENTS TO CONDUCT A SYSTEMWIDE ASSOCIATE DEGREE COMPLETION AUDIT.

This bill asks the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to conduct a systemwide audit to find students who have earned enough credits for an associate degree but haven't been awarded one. The audit will specifically look at students who transferred from community colleges to four-year campuses or left the system after accumulating sufficient credits. The university is also asked to study how to create pathways for awarding these earned degrees and report findings to the legislature by March 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes educational access by auditing for unawarded degrees and creating pathways to award earned associate degrees, strengthening higher education completion.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 74: URGING THE GOVERNOR TO RECONSIDER HIS DECISION NOT TO ALLOW HAWAII TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FEDERAL EDUCATION FREEDOM TAX CREDIT PROGRAM.

This bill urges the Governor of Hawaii to reconsider the decision not to allow the state to participate in the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program. The program would provide federal tax credits of up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship organizations, which could then be used to fund scholarships for K-12 students from low- and middle-income households. By opting in, Hawaii would enable families to use these funds for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational support services without reducing public school funding. The resolution requests that the state designate local scholarship organizations to receive donations, thereby expanding educational options for Hawaii students.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill advocates for federal tax credit program that provides tax relief to families and expands educational funding options, aligning with support indicators for tax relief and funding expansion.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill advocates for federal tax credit program that would expand educational access and provide scholarships for K-12 students from low- and middle-income households.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice School Funding Student Financial Aid

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 187: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A FRAMEWORK IN THE OFFICE OF FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS THAT IMPROVES RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR MONITORING ALL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS.

This Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to create a system that assigns responsibility for monitoring school construction and repair projects to local school leaders in each complex area. Under this proposal, local Complex Area Superintendents and their staff would oversee project progress from planning through completion, while the state Office of Facilities and Operations would keep overall management authority and provide statewide oversight. The resolution requires local leaders to submit quarterly reports on project status, budget, and any delays to the state office, which would then review the reports and offer technical assistance. The Department of Education must also develop clear procedures defining roles and responsibilities for all parties and report back to the Legislature by early 2027 with details on the new framework.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves school infrastructure by establishing accountability for construction and maintenance projects, ensuring better facilities for students and staff.85% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 84: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CREATE A PLAN THAT REMOVES CARCINOGENS FROM SCHOOL MEALS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to develop a plan for removing processed meats from school meals by 2032 or replacing them with healthier, minimally processed alternatives. The resolution directs the department to inventory current menus containing processed meats, establish a timeline for the transition, set nutritional standards for replacement options, and estimate associated costs and funding needs. It aims to improve student health by reducing exposure to carcinogens linked to processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats, which are currently served in some school programs. The Department of Education must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves student health through healthier school meals, enhancing educational environment and student well-being85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aims to improve student health by reducing exposure to carcinogens in school meals, aligning with public health and preventive healthcare goals.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SCR 113: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE DETAILING FARM-TO-SCHOOL IMPLEMENTATION, LOCAL FOOD PROCUREMENT, REGIONAL KITCHEN ALIGNMENT, AND FEDERAL FARM-TO-SCHOOL GRANT PARTICIPATION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to submit a report on its farm-to-school program and local food procurement efforts. The bill requires the department to detail how its purchasing aligns with state regional kitchen investments and to provide data on current local food buying levels across different islands and product categories. It also requests information on barriers preventing local farmers from participating in school meals, the status of federal grant applications, and recommendations for improving procurement processes. The report aims to help the legislature understand how well the state is utilizing public investments to support local agriculture and food security.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes farm-to-school initiatives and local food procurement, enhancing student nutrition and supporting local agriculture within the education system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 191: URGING THIS BODY TO ESTABLISH A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS AVAILABLE TO STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS AND DETERMINE WHETHER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRALIZED PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT OR SIMILAR SERVICE COOPERATIVE WOULD PROVIDE IMPROVED SUPPORT TO PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

This Senate resolution urges the Hawaii Legislature to create a working group that will study how to better support public charter schools in the state. The proposed group would examine current administrative challenges faced by charter schools, such as facility maintenance and operational services, and evaluate whether establishing a centralized district or service cooperative could provide more effective support. The working group would include representatives from various stakeholder organizations and must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not create any new laws or programs itself, but rather sets up a study process to inform future policy decisions about charter school support structures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill proposes creating a working group to examine support systems for public charter schools, aiming to improve administrative support and potentially establish centralized services to strengthen school infrastructure and operations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 66: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CORRECT, UPDATE, AND COMPLETE ITS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES GOVERNING THE DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM AS RECOMMENDED BY THE AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 25‑06.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation to fix and update its administrative rules for the Driver Education Program based on recommendations from a state auditor's report. The bill directly affects driver education instructors, students, and the department itself by addressing issues like outdated curriculum certification and inconsistent oversight. It requires the department to establish task forces, certify required curricula, and create clear policies within a set timeframe, then report progress to the legislature before the 2027 session. The resolution does not change laws or create new programs but instead directs the department to follow its own existing rules and improve how it manages driver education standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves driver education program oversight and curriculum standards, enhancing educational quality and safety for students.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens driver education program oversight and safety standards through updated administrative rules and task force establishment, enhancing transportation safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Driver Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 161: REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP A CLIMATE LITERACY SEAL OF EXCELLENCE FRAMEWORK IN HAWAII PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Board of Education and Department of Education to create a working group that will design a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence for public school students. The proposed framework would recognize students who complete advanced coursework and hands-on projects focused on climate science, sustainability, and community resilience. The working group would include educators, university experts, industry representatives, and student leaders to develop course requirements, assessment criteria, and implementation timelines. The Department of Education must report its findings and any recommended legislation to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a working group to create a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence framework, expanding student programs and enhancing educational offerings in Hawaii public schools.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes climate literacy and sustainability education in public schools, advancing environmental awareness and climate science knowledge.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment

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