Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:43:55.679><c> to</c> the school the uh non-public schools to the school the uh non-public schools
• I am a product of the public schools, and my mom was an elementary school teacher in the public schools
• In the Owatonna public schools, the private schools will lose $416,197.
• In Waseca schools, the private schools will lose $75,700.
• I think schools in the public schools.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• GROUNDS OR WHILE ENGAGED IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES OFF SCHOOL GROUNDS DURING THE DAY.
• THE PURPOSES DUE TO THE FACT CHARTER SCHOOL SPONSORS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES MUST
• Calatayud: 1150 WOULD ENABLE OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO RETAIN HIGHLY SKILLED AND QUALIFIED SCHOOL SOCIAL
• CATEGORY IDENTIFY A PERSISTENTLY LOW PERFORMING SCHOOL TO INCLUDE A SCHOOL IN THE BOTTOM 10 PERCENT
• PERSONNEL, SCHOOL NURSES AND DOCTORS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL, REGULAR CONTACT WITH STUDENTS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Elementary School.
• Uh, Waimea High School, Kauai High School, and Kawaikini School, Kauai High School, and Kawaikini Public
• Charter School in Anahola.
• Blue Ribbon School, Manana Elementary School.
• ><c> Elementary</c><00:29:49.680><c> School</c> Manana Elementary School Manana Elementary School Accepting

Bills: HB1576, HB2490, HB1546, HB1588

Keywords: HB1576, Hawaii film industry, DBEDT, BLNR, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Board of Land and Natural Resources, film permits, motion picture production, television production, commercial filming, digital media tax credit, film production tax credit, public notice, transparency, state lands, film studio, land set-aside, revocable permit, memorandum of agreement, memorandum of understanding

Transcript Highlights:

• able to show up to school, much less get through a day of school and graduate.
• Partnerships between the schools and school districts and healthcare systems.
• She dropped out of school.
• Back, uh, school on wheels, a non-traditional high school.
• The high school, Espanola Valley High School and McCurdy, and then East and West.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 63 will fund and allow a school district. or charter school for additional program units,
• Madam Chair, next school year or?
• Is there any way that a school? Rural type schools could be adversely affected by this.
• chartered school.
• or charter school.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of the schools in 1784 are religious schools. There’s very few secular schools at all.
• </c> schools in 1784 are religious schools. schools in 1784 are religious schools.
• </c> common schools for common schools. common schools for common schools.
• </c> school districts. school districts.
• </c><03:32:57.359><c> school</c> incorporated bodies, your school school incorporated bodies, your school

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• school protection officer and allows designated school personnel the authority to carry a weapon.
• officers on school campuses and school grounds.
• to prevent school shooting.
• I know in my schools, we've got some of our city officers in our schools, our CFOs.
• So you're thinking a school like Couch, a school like Kosh, a school like Ripley County R-3.

Summary: The Committee on General Laws met with a quorum and first went into executive session on House Bill 2774, the Jeff Knight bill concerning gas-powered leaf blowers. An amendment was adopted to exempt the city of Clayton, Missouri, allowing it to ban gas-powered leaf blowers if it chooses. The committee then rolled the amendment into a House Committee Substitute and voted the substitute do pass by 12 yeas and 0 nays. The committee next took up House Bill 2176 by Representative Perkins and voted it do pass by 8 yeas and 4 nays. After that, the committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1730, sponsored by Representative Koslow, which would treat Missouri-made firearm suppressors that remain in-state as outside federal Commerce Clause oversight. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would protect hearing, reduce federal burdens, and not increase crime; members raised concerns about concealment and public safety, but no opposition testimony was offered and the hearing closed. The final public hearing was on House Bill 2504 by Representative Elliott, which would expand who may be designated as school protection officers to include additional school personnel, such as classified staff, if they volunteer, complete required training, and are approved through local school board and state processes. Supporters, including a school superintendent, security trainer, law enforcement officer, and public advocate, said the bill would improve response times in rural districts that cannot afford school resource officers and emphasized the extensive training and vetting already required. Opponents or skeptical members questioned whether adding more armed personnel in schools was the right response to school violence, but no formal opposition testimony was presented before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• School, and Haskell Institute.
• Public Schools.
• into their schools.
• schools. within that school district that did not have native programming.
• No matter where they attend, BIE schools, tribally controlled schools, public schools, tribal colleges

Keywords: Native education, Department of Education, federal funding, testimony, treaty obligations, public schools, educational policies, Indigenous students

Summary: The meeting focused on the responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Education towards Native students, highlighting the importance of federal education programs that satisfy treaty obligations to Native communities. Various witnesses testified about the impact of educational policies designed to support Native students who primarily attend public schools. Concerns were voiced over recent proposals that could potentially undermine these programs, citing the role of federal funding in ensuring successful educational outcomes for Native youth. The chair of the committee emphasized the need for continued federal support and attention to the unique educational challenges faced by Indigenous populations.

Transcript Highlights:

• school.
• school.
• But that's for the school.
• require school employees to...
• a pupil from school.

Summary: The Committee on Education first heard a presentation from Dr. Victoria Dyson Homer on the Arizona Teacher Residency Program. She argued that Arizona faces a teacher retention and certification crisis, with high attrition and many uncertified or underprepared teachers, and said research shows practice-based residencies improve retention, teacher confidence, and student outcomes. She described the Arizona Teacher Residency as a year-long, cohort-based, district-partnered program with mentoring, coursework, and induction support, and said its early data show very high retention and positive student and teacher feedback. Committee members asked about how the program differs from traditional student teaching, salary schedules, and whether residency graduates outperform traditional preparation pathways; the presentation was generally well received. The committee then took up SCR 1006, a ballot referral dealing with school restroom and locker room accommodations and pronoun/name use for students. The sponsor framed it as a parental rights and student safety measure, while opponents from education, legal, and advocacy backgrounds argued it was discriminatory, unnecessary, and harmful to transgender and non-binary students. After public testimony and member debate, the committee approved SCR 1006 on a 7-5 vote. Members then considered SB 1126, which would require schools to provide certain student records and information to Department of Child Safety caseworkers and prohibit schools from blocking staff from speaking with DCS during abuse or neglect investigations. DCS testified neutral, saying the bill would help clarify information sharing and support child safety; the committee passed the bill 10-0 with two members present. Finally, the committee heard SB 1210, which would require certain out-of-state private postsecondary institutions offering fully online programs to Arizona residents to register with the state board unless they participate in a reciprocity agreement, and to comply with student tuition recovery fund requirements if they collect prepaid tuition. Supporters said the bill closes a regulatory loophole and protects students and the state’s oversight of online providers. The committee approved SB 1210 on an 11-1 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• public school fund.
• How many school districts do we have? 259 total school districts. 259. 259.
• And finally, in school-level resources, looking at school-level findings, rural schools spent the most
• Starting with school safety... Starting with school safety.
• in a wealthier school?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as you might have a school of 50 that's in the top or a school of 1,000 in the top and that would make
• At Clayton High School, our administrators do not require prior review of our school paper.
• At Clayton High School, our administrators do not require prior review of our school paper.
• Many school papers throughout the state must have their stories approved by school administrators.
• And the school responded by canceling the school. The school's record on free speech.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• school.
• </c> to pay for this school to pay for this school if<00:26:10.320><c> the</c><00:26:10.480><c> school
• The new elementary school is in Ever Beach. A new high school is in Ever Beach.
• The new elementary school is in Ever Beach. A new high school is in Ever Beach.
• The new elementary school is in Ever Beach. A new high school is in Ever Beach.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Senate Committee on Education, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing heard House Bill 1088 HD1, which would exempt housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) from school impact fees. The Department of Education said it was open to working with DHHL and the Legislature, including possibly eliminating the construction-cost portion of the fee for DHHL and other government affordable housing projects, but it wanted to retain the land-dedication requirement for future school sites where growth would exceed existing school capacity. The School Facilities Authority supported the bill, and DHHL strongly supported it, noting that its testimony referenced an earlier emergency proclamation but that the exemption remains in the current proclamation. DHHL also said it had no objection to a proposed amendment from the Wahiawa Hawaiian Homestead Association. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii testified in opposition to the broader school impact fee program, arguing that the fund has accumulated about $29 million that has not been spent and citing concerns raised in State Auditor Report 19-13, including administrative and constitutional issues. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether the fee system is being applied fairly, especially to smaller projects and homeowners, and whether the districts and calculations used to assess fees have been updated. Members questioned the DOE and SFA about the distinction between land and construction costs, the use of fees in areas like Kīhei, Kalihi, Ala Moana, and Ewa, and whether the department had revisited district calculations as recommended in the audit. DOE said it had collected about $500,000 in construction money and $2.8 million in land contributions for Kalihi-related areas, and said it would follow up on questions about land conveyances and district updates. After discussion, the chair called for a vote. The Education committee recommended passing HB 1088 HD1 as is, with Senator San Buenaventura voting with reservation and Senators Ihara and Kole voting aye. The recommendation was adopted. The Housing committee then also deferred the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> charter</c><00:55:23.880><c> schools</c> schools you'd mentioned charter schools schools you'd mentioned
• </c><01:09:49.080><c> a</c><01:09:49.359><c> safe</c> schools schools are right now a safe schools schools
• Salem has, you know, five elementary schools, a middle school, and high school.
• /c><01:50:47.480><c> high</c><01:50:47.679><c> school</c> schools a middle school and high school schools
• , school, school, um, it would be all over.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and your school sites, I understand.
• About the circumstances in your local school districts and your school sites, I understand that you are
• So every school gets 20% more funding than all of the high-need schools.
• schools.
• This is the school.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• school bills.
• Let's feed hungry kids, because school meals are school supplies.
• Let's feed hungry kids, because school meals are school supplies.
• </c><00:56:08.200><c> does</c><00:56:08.400><c> meet</c> school as long as that school does meet school
• </c> invented from school to school or from invented from school to school or from classroom<02:04:22.599

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 707 on the College Savings Program. Members discussed a suggested amendment from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities to include the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program. The chair said the Department of the Attorney General advised there was no title problem, so the bill could be broadened to cover both the College Savings Program and the ABLE program. The committee also noted technical, non-substantive changes and a defective date of July 1, 3000 for further discussion. HB 707 HD1 was then voted on and the recommendation to pass with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present, with two members excused. The committee then heard House Bill 424, which would provide free breakfast and lunch beginning the next school year to students who currently qualify for free and reduced-price meals. The Department of Education supported the measure, and testimony in favor came from teachers, public health and food security advocates, and several organizations. Supporters described students being denied meals because of unpaid balances, said school meals should not depend on family debt, and argued that the bill would reduce stigma and help hungry students learn. Committee questions focused on meal pricing, the impact of raising prices on families who pay full price, and whether portion sizes could be increased; DOE said breakfast costs less than lunch, full-price students would bear any increase, and portion sizes must follow USDA rules. Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network said many families above the free/reduced thresholds still cannot afford meals, citing estimates that the DOE collects about $20 million a year in meal payments and that federal reimbursement totals are much larger. The committee then heard House Bill 757, the universal free school breakfast and lunch bill. DOE and the Department of Health supported it, and testimony was overwhelmingly in favor from county officials, teachers, students, food banks, advocacy groups, and community organizations. Witnesses argued that universal meals would eliminate stigma, reduce paperwork and debt collection, and ensure students do not fall through the cracks because of income cutoffs, language barriers, or administrative hurdles. Several students from Castle High School described classmates asking for food and families struggling to keep meal accounts funded, while teachers said they regularly see negative meal balance notices and hungry students. Advocates also said the bill is the better equity vehicle because it avoids means testing and reaches students who are not currently receiving meals despite needing them. The hearing on HB 757 was still ongoing at the end of the transcript, and no final vote on that bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• school or their virtual charter school, wherever they're attending full-time.
• Our catalog is deeper than any school, district, or charter school that you can find.
• school.
• locally, whether it's a charter school or a private school.
• school.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:17:44.239><c> School</c> school to be homeschooled. School school to be homeschooled.
• </c> to the schools yet. to the schools yet.
• ><c> schools.
• </c> engaged in schools. engaged in schools.
• </c> schools, community schools we've had. schools, community schools we've had.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education met on February 17 and announced it would limit public testimony to one minute because more than a thousand testimonies were expected on one measure. The first bill heard was HB 1934, relating to the Imagination Library of Hawaii. The state librarian and Friends of the Library supported the bill, saying the program is a proven, cost-effective way to improve early literacy and should be expanded statewide for children ages 0 to 5. Friends of the Library said the current 50/50 match requirement would be too difficult to meet immediately and asked for state funding for the first few years to help launch the expansion. Testimony included eight supporters and one opponent, and members asked whether the proposal was an expansion of an existing program; the state librarian said it would expand service beyond currently targeted communities. The committee then heard HB 20004, which would extend the floating librarian pilot program. The state librarian, Department of Education, HSTA, and several individuals testified in support. Supporters said the program helps address staffing needs and improves student readiness, especially for college and information literacy. One retired community college librarian said school librarians help students prepare for college and are increasingly important in teaching critical evaluation of misinformation and AI-generated content. Members asked about implementation of the existing pilot, including recruitment of certified librarians for neighbor island and Oahu complex areas; DOE said those positions had been identified and recruitment was underway, and existing funds remained intact. The final major discussion was HB 2398, which clarifies the library system’s role in RNMSP-related projects and public library construction on or near school land. The state librarian and public library system supported the bill, while the Department of Education and Attorney General’s office raised concerns about vague language, especially the phrase “land controlled by the board,” and suggested amendments. In questioning, the state librarian explained that the bill was prompted by conflicts on shared or adjacent school/public library sites, including traffic, pickup and drop-off access, and other operational issues. DOE described significant disruption from one project’s traffic changes and said planning for such projects should involve early coordination and formal agreements. The state librarian responded that the new bill would clarify oversight and help avoid delays and disputes over property control and future renovations.

Transcript Highlights:

• school.
• school.
• But that's for the school.
• require school employees to schools couldn't require school employees to disclose information that might
• a pupil from school.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in their schools.
• So the Community Schools model can be used by any school. I think there's benefits for any school.
• schools.
• So my school is the original Campbell High School, so it's 60 years old.
• So, a charter school is a school which operates independently of the locally operated public schools

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Education met on February 6 at 2:00 p.m. and heard testimony on a series of education-related bills. HB 1200, which would codify teacher ratios in statute, drew support from the Department of Education, the Democratic Party of the Education Caucus, and 11 individuals; no opposition was noted and the committee moved on without questions. HB 1344, concerning mandatory FAFSA completion, received testimony from the Department of Education, Hawaii P20, and a University of Hawaiʻi student who cited unclaimed Pell Grant funds and low FAFSA completion rates as reasons to support the bill. Committee members asked about current outreach efforts, and DOE and P20 described FAFSA tracking data, hotlines, email support, school-based FAFSA nights, and coordination with counselors; members also raised concerns about federal education funding and Pell Grants. The committee then heard HB 1499, which would authorize staff and volunteers to administer certain medications. The Department of Education, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi nursing leadership, and the Hawaii State Center for Nursing all testified in support, along with several individuals and the Democratic Party Environmental Caucus. The next measure, HB 902 on the Public Safety Power Shutoff program, was supported by DOE, the Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaiian Electric, but it prompted extensive questioning from the Vice Chair about whether taxpayers should fund a study to help schools remain open during shutoffs. Hawaiian Electric said the bill would help DOE assess impacts in wildfire-risk areas and noted its wildfire safety strategy, outreach efforts, and potential community resource centers, while the Vice Chair argued the utility should bear more of the cost. The committee also heard HB 961, a bill on school libraries and a CASS pilot program, with DOE offering comments and HSTA and the Hawaii Library Association strongly supporting it. HSTA argued certified librarians are important for literacy, research, and digital literacy, and said many schools lack them because of cost; the association and 14 individuals testified in support. HB 962, a related bill on DOE libraries and the system, also drew support from DOE, HSTA, and the Hawaii Library Association, with 15 individuals in support. Finally, HB 730, concerning the Civil Rights Compliance Branch, received support from DOE, White Children’s Action Network, AAW of Hawaiʻi, and many individuals. Testifiers said the branch needs more resources and training and handles more than Title IX, including Title VI, Title VII, and ADA matters. A student plaintiff in a Title IX lawsuit described unequal treatment in athletics and facilities, and another supporter said the bill would help ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• New schools.
• New schools.
• Number 23 is for that tutoring for middle school, for out-of-school time, after school, yes, after school
• Uh, at the high schools and our middle schools, we have school security attendants.
• </c><03:56:00.439><c> but</c> goes from school to school yeah uh but goes from school to school yeah

Keywords: 912, senate, all