Education

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2602: RELATING TO THE GENERAL FUND.

Requires that tuition, tuition-related course and fee charges, and other charges to students deposited into the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund be allocated and expended in accordance with Board of Regents policies governing systemwide operations. On 6/30/2029, requires unencumbered funds in the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund that exceeds the reserve level established by the Board of Regents to lapse to the general fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRedirects excess tuition funds from UH special fund to general fund, limiting university's financial resources without increasing education funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 2376: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires home schooled students to participate in certain annual in person tests at the public school that the student would otherwise be required to attend.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRequires homeschooled students to take in-person tests at public schools, restricting educational choice in home schooling.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3193: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires home schooled students to participate in certain annual in person tests at the public school that the student would otherwise be required to attend.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRequires homeschoolers to take public school tests, restricting educational flexibility and adding mandated compliance for homeschooling families.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1264: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

SB 1264 requires the state Board of Education to create a policy banning student use of phones and other electronic devices during all school hours. This directly affects public school students and educators across the state, as schools would need to implement and enforce this rule. The key provision mandates the Board to adopt a specific policy, not a general guideline, to prohibit devices while students are in class or on school grounds during instructional time. The bill does not specify penalties or exceptions, focusing solely on the requirement for the Board to establish the rule.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates ban on student devices during school hours, restricting access to technology in classrooms and limiting educational tools per bill's key provision.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans student phone/device use in schools during instruction, restricting technology access per bill's key provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2616: RELATING TO THE HAWAII TEACHER STANDARDS BOARD.

Permits the Department of Education and charter schools to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to adopt rules.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationExtends emergency hiring of unlicensed teachers beyond standard requirements, removing educational licensing standards for staffing shortages.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 289: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the department of education to prohibit cell phone use during the instructional day, prohibit student access to social media through the school's internet, and implement a social media education campaign. Creates exemptions for students requiring accommodations, emergency situations, and teacher authorizations.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts student cell phone/social media use during instruction, a clear restriction on educational environment per indicators.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly restricts student internet access (social media) and cell phone use during school, directly limiting technology access as defined in the topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Teachers Social Media

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 159: RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

SB 159 exempts specific housing developments from school impact fees, which are typically charged to new construction to fund school infrastructure. The bill directly affects qualifying housing projects (like apartment complexes or subdivisions) by removing a financial requirement they would otherwise owe to local school districts. This change modifies how school impact fees are applied, eliminating the assessment for the designated developments without altering broader fee structures. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts housing developments from school impact fees, reducing school district revenue and limiting government funding for infrastructure without compensatory measures.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill exempts housing developments from school impact fees, reducing potential funding for school infrastructure without alternative funding sources.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts qualifying housing developments from school impact fees, reducing development costs and facilitating housing construction per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment Property Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 2872: RELATING TO RETIRED EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

Repeals the requirement that retirants rehired as teachers or administrators serve in a teacher shortage area identified by the Department of Education. Requires retirants rehired after 6/30/2026 as teachers or administrators in Department or charter schools to be paid the entry level salary for the teacher or administrator position as negotiated in the collective bargaining unit contract. Prohibits retirants rehired after 6/30/2026 from receiving additional employment benefits. Requires the DOE to adopt rules. (SD1)

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationReduces benefits for rehired retirees by capping pay at entry level and prohibiting additional benefits, directly limiting teacher compensation.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRequires rehired retirants to accept entry-level pay and prohibits additional benefits, reducing compensation compared to prior roles and limiting employment benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Collective Bargaining

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1088: RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

HB 1088 exempts housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) from school impact fees. This applies to new DHHL housing projects, removing a fee typically required to fund school infrastructure. The exemption takes effect on July 1, 3000, directly affecting DHHL developments by eliminating this cost. The bill focuses on modifying fee requirements for DHHL housing without altering other school funding mechanisms.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationExempts DHHL housing from school impact fees, removing a dedicated funding source for school infrastructure without alternative funding.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts DHHL housing from school impact fees, reducing development costs to support affordable housing initiatives under DHHL's mission.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1195: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the department of education to prohibit cell phone use during the instructional day, prohibit student access to social media through the school's internet, and implement a social media education campaign. Creates exemptions for students requiring accommodations, emergency situations, and teacher authorizations.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts student cell phone/social media use during instruction, limiting access to align with educational focus rather than advancing educational opportunities.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts student social media access during school hours, limiting technology use in educational settings per bill's prohibitions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Social Media

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