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.
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.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Legislature to create a working group to study how public charter schools can better access administrative and operational support services. The proposed group would examine whether establishing a centralized charter school district or service cooperative could provide more effective assistance for facilities, transportation, and other back-office functions. The working group would include representatives from the charter schools network, legislative committees, the Board of Education, and various stakeholder organizations. Its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, are to be submitted to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Governor of Hawaii to reconsider the decision to opt out of the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program, which would allow Hawaii to participate in a federal scholarship initiative. The bill explains that the program provides federal tax credits to donors who contribute to scholarship organizations, with funds used to offer educational scholarships to K-12 students from low- and middle-income households. If Hawaii were to opt in, the state could designate local scholarship organizations to receive donations, potentially expanding educational options for families without reducing public school funding. The resolution highlights that 23 states have already joined the program and notes Hawaii's current academic performance statistics as context for why participation might be beneficial. This document is a non-binding recommendation rather than a law, as it does not directly change policy but instead asks the Governor to review the decision.
This House Resolution urges the Governor of Hawaii to reconsider the decision to exclude the state from the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program, which would allow families to use federal tax credits to fund scholarships for private school tuition and education services. The program, set to begin in 2027, is funded through private donations and federal tax incentives rather than state money, and it is available only to states that opt in. Currently, 23 states have chosen to participate, while Hawaii has not, meaning local families would miss out on additional funding opportunities for education choice options. The resolution highlights that Hawaii's current proficiency rates in reading and math are low, suggesting that participating could provide more financial resources to support students.
This Senate resolution urges the governor of Hawaii to reconsider his decision not to allow the state to participate in the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program. The program offers a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship organizations, which can then be used to provide educational scholarships to low- and middle-income students for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational expenses. Hawaii would need to opt-in to the program to become a participating state, and the bill highlights that the program is funded through private contributions rather than state tax dollars. The resolution notes that 23 states have already opted in and that Hawaii's current education proficiency rates are relatively low, suggesting potential benefits from expanding educational choice options.
This House Resolution (HR 14) requests the Hawaii Board of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to prepare a report addressing facility access challenges for public charter schools. The report must analyze why unused state facilities aren't being identified, propose policy changes to connect charters with available space (including underused public school buildings), and assess financing options like federal funds or bonds. It directly affects Hawaii's growing public charter school sector, which serves over 1,300 students but often operates in temporary or unstable facilities. The resolution requires the report to be submitted to the Legislature by early 2027, focusing on practical solutions rather than creating new laws.
This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 11) requests the Board of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to prepare a report addressing facility access challenges for Hawaii's public charter schools. The report must assess why unused state facilities haven't been identified for charter schools, propose policy changes to connect schools with underutilized spaces (including low-enrollment public schools), and evaluate financing options - such as tax-exempt bonds - to secure stable, suitable, and affordable facilities. The resolution directly affects Hawaii's growing charter school sector, which serves over 1,300 students and currently faces significant challenges operating in temporary or inadequate spaces.
HCR 13 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to collaborate with the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to develop a student-led Coral Stewardship Program. The program would focus on educating students and the public about reef-safe sunscreen practices (avoiding chemicals like oxybenzone) at state beaches, using student volunteers for outreach and educational materials. It emphasizes voluntary, non-enforcement activities informed by scientific research, building on existing efforts like Act 104 (2018), which restricted harmful sunscreens. DLNR must report to the Legislature by 2027 on collaborative efforts and any needed policy recommendations.
SCR 19 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to collaborate with the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to create a student-led coral stewardship program. The program would focus on educating students and the public about reef-safe sunscreen practices (avoiding chemicals like oxybenzone that harm coral) through voluntary, non-enforcement activities like student outreach and educational materials. It specifically aims to engage students from public charter schools with existing marine stewardship programs, such as West Hawai‘i Explorations Academy. DLNR must report to the legislature by early 2027 on collaborative efforts and any recommendations for advancing reef protection.
