Education (Libraries)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 14, 2026

GM 1109: Informing the Legislature that on May 14, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2001 HD2 SD1 (ACT 009).

This bill designates the first Friday in February of each year as "Love My Library Day" to honor the vital role libraries play in Hawaii's communities. The legislation applies to all libraries, including public, school, and higher education facilities, emphasizing their importance for lifelong learning, civic engagement, and access to essential resources. By adding this designation to the state statutes, the bill aims to raise public awareness and encourage support for library services without creating a new state holiday.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates 'Love My Library Day' to honor libraries in schools and higher ed, emphasizing their vital role in lifelong learning and educational access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 202: CONGRATULATING THE 2025 LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR, 2025 MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, 2026 SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR NATIONAL FINALIST, 2026 LEILEHUA-MILILANI-WAIALUA COMPLEX AREA TEACHER OF THE YEAR, AND 2026 ʻAIEA-MOANALUA-RADFORD COMPLEX AREA TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

This House Resolution congratulates five educators in Hawaii who have been recognized for their achievements in 2025 and 2026. The bill formally acknowledges Matthew Brown as the 2025 Librarian of the Year, Jacquelyn McCandless as the 2025 Middle School Principal of the Year, Leka Anitema as a 2026 School Counselor of the Year national finalist, and Christopher Justo as the 2026 Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area Teacher of the Year. The resolution also recognizes the 2026 Aiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area Teacher of the Year, though that individual is not named in the provided text. These individuals are being honored for their leadership and contributions to education and library services across Hawaii.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill recognizes and honors educators for their achievements, supporting teachers and educational staff90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Libraries Teachers

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 757: RELATING TO LIBRARIES.

Requires reasonable terms in license agreements for digital literary materials between libraries and publishers. Defines prohibited terms for license agreements between libraries and publishers. Declares offer of a license agreement with a prohibited term an unfair or deceptive act. Makes a license agreement with a prohibited term void and unconscionable. Creates a right of action by libraries, library officers and borrowers. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures libraries can access digital materials via fair license terms, supporting educational access through public libraries' resource availability.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires fair terms in library-publisher digital license agreements, preventing unfair access barriers and promoting equitable digital resource availability for public libraries.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1934: RELATING TO LIBRARIES.

Requires the State Librarian to establish an Imagination Library of Hawaii Program to provide one free book each month to children from birth through five years of age who reside in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for Imagination Library program, directly increasing state budget allocation for public library services targeting children.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds to establish a free book program for children birth-5, directly enhancing early childhood educational access and literacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3328: RELATING TO STATE LIBRARIES.

Clarifies the roles and responsibilities for capital improvement projects at the 12 dual-use public and school libraries statewide. Clarifies that, after the Board of Education authorizes the State Librarian to make capital improvements to a public and school library facility, and the Legislature appropriates funding for the project, the Department of Education shall work expeditiously with the State Librarian to ensure timely use of the appropriated moneys.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies process for timely use of funds for school library infrastructure, directly supporting facility improvements in educational settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 3237: RELATING TO PROTECTED COMMUNITY LOCATIONS.

Establishes statewide standards for state and county agencies, officers, and employees, and recipients of state funds, to limit participation in civil immigration enforcement in or near protected community locations that provide state-funded services related to education, physical or mental health, social services such as shelter care or food assistance, or access to justice, including schools, health care facilities, libraries, shelters, and places of worship. Requires the Department of Education, State Public Charter School Commission, University of Hawaii, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Hawaii State Public Library System, and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to adopt and post written policies, provide annual staff training, and maintain data privacy protections. Appropriates funds for implementation by the Attorney General.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement from conducting immigration enforcement in schools, health facilities, and shelters, protecting access to services and civil rights - aligns with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects schools from immigration enforcement, ensuring safe access to education for all students including immigrant families, aligning with DOE's role in state-funded education services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly protects healthcare facilities (including mental health) from immigration enforcement, removing barriers to access and supporting healthcare services.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects shelters (housing services) from immigration enforcement, ensuring access to housing support for vulnerable populations.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationLimits state agency cooperation with federal immigration enforcement near schools, health facilities, and shelters, protecting immigrant access to essential services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Libraries School Choice Mental Health Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 100: RELATING TO MEDIA LITERACY.

Authorizes school complexes to incorporate media literacy in their standards-based curriculum, including content that prevents negative impacts of misinformation, disinformation, digital discrimination, and online hate speech.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes media literacy curriculum to combat misinformation, strengthening educational content and digital citizenship in public schools per bill's explicit intent.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates media literacy education to combat misinformation and online hate speech, promoting digital citizenship and digital rights in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Libraries

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1000: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

SB 1000 would provide state funding to the Department of Education specifically for classroom supplies requested by public school teachers. This bill directly affects K-12 teachers and their students by enabling schools to purchase needed materials like books, art supplies, or technology. The key provision is a dedicated appropriation for teacher-requested items, managed through the Department of Education, though the bill remains pending in the 2026 session.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates dedicated state funding (appropriation) for classroom supplies via Department of Education, directly increasing public education budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides dedicated state funding for teacher-requested classroom supplies (books, tech, art), directly advancing K-12 resource access and teacher needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Libraries School Funding Teachers

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 962: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish and administer a two-year school librarian pilot program to provide funding for qualifying schools to hire librarians. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for school librarian pilot program, directly funding a public education initiative under state budget authority.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for school librarian pilot program, directly funding K-12 educational resources and access as required by the bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 799: RELATING TO THE FREEDOM TO READ.

Requires the Department of Education to select materials for inclusion, circulation, and exclusion in school library collections according to certain criteria. Requires the Department of Education to uphold the freedom to read. Prohibits the Department of Education from excluding books based on certain criteria. Requires the State Librarian to select materials for inclusion, circulation, and exclusion in school library collections according to certain criteria. Requires the State Librarian to uphold the freedom to read. Prohibits the State Librarian from excluding books based on certain criteria.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prohibits excluding books from school libraries based on specific criteria, directly upholding freedom to read and protecting educational access to diverse materials in K-12 school libraries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

Track