HE‘E (Hui for Excellence in Education) is a coalition of community organizations supporting education. PPS-Hawai‘i is a voting member. Each of these initiatives will need significant review, detail, and clarification. We support addressing these needs, though we know changes may cause us to remove support.

Bill/Topic Description Remarks
RELATING TO STATE BUDGET
To adjust and request appropriations for Fiscal Biennium 2019-21 funding requirements for operations and capital improvement projects of Executive Branch agencies and programs and to include appropriations from other departmental budget acts deemed necessary for program operations and capital improvements.
Bill scheduled for decision making on Wednesday, 02-05-20 2:15PM in conference room 308.

RELATING TO TEACHER COMPENSATION

Makes an appropriation to fund an experimental modernization project pursuant to chapter 78-3.5 and make necessary discretionary salary adjustments.
The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-20 2:45PM in conference room 229.
RELATING TO TAX
Provides an income tax exclusion for certain public school teachers who earn $60,000 or less per year. Defines eligible teachers as school teachers, special education teachers, school librarians and school counselors employed by the DOE or a charter school.
The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kidani, Kim, Dela Cruz, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kanuha.
SB2256
RELATING TO TEACHER RECRUITMENT
Authorizes the department of education to provide incentives to enhance the recruitment and retention of public school and public charter school teachers. (SD1)
Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2316) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
SB3101
RELATING TO ACCESS LEARNING
Transfers the Executive Office on Early Learning from the Department of Education to the Department of Human Services. Renames the Office as the Learning to Grow Agency. Focuses the jurisdiction of the agency to children who are 3 to 4 years old or will be eligible for kindergarten within 2 years. Establishes the goal of providing all children who are 3 to 4 years old or will be eligible for kindergarten within 2 years with access to learning through an early learning program by the year 2030. Appropriates funds.
Re-Referred to EDU, WAM.
HB2543
RELATING TO ACCESS LEARNING
Transfers the Executive Office on Early Learning from the Department of Education to the Department of Human Services. Renames the Office as the Learning to Grow Agency. Focuses the jurisdiction of the agency to children who are 3 to 4 years old or will be eligible for kindergarten within 2 years. Establishes the goal of providing all children who are 3 to 4 years old or will be eligible for kindergarten within 2 years with access to learning through an early learning program by the year 2030. Appropriates funds.
Referred to LHE/FIN, referral sheet 5
SB3103
RELATING TO A SCHOOL FACILITIES AGENCY
Establishes the School Facilities Agency to be responsible for all public school development, planning, and construction, related to capital improvement projects assigned by the Legislature, Governor, or Board of Education. Transfers statutes pertaining to the Hawaii 3R’s and 3T’s programs to a new School Facilities Agency statutory subpart. Places management of school impact fees with the agency. Appropriates funds.
Referred to EDU, WAM.

RELATING TO A SCHOOL FACILITIES AGENCY

Establishes the School Facilities Agency to be responsible for all public school development, planning, and construction, related to capital improvement projects assigned by the Legislature, Governor, or Board of Education. Transfers statutes pertaining to the Hawaii 3R’s and 3T’s programs to a new School Facilities Agency statutory subpart. Places management of school impact fees with the agency. Appropriates funds
Referred to LHE/FIN, referral sheet 5
RELATING TO AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Establishes the Hawaii After-School Program for Youth within the Department of Education community engagement branch to provide after school programs for children in grades six through eight. Appropriates funds.
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
RELATING TO EDUCATION DATA
Requires the Department of Education to establish a standardized data collection process; collect and analyze data relating to, among other things, student discipline, school climate, and student achievement; and annually report certain information to the Board of Education, Legislature, and the public.
The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kidani, Kim, Dela Cruz, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kanuha.
HB2093
RELATING TO EDUCATION DATA
Requires the Department of Education to establish a standardized data collection process; collect and analyze data relating to, among other things, student discipline, school climate, and student achievement; and annually report certain information to the Board of Education, Legislature, and the public.
Bill scheduled to be heard by LHE on Tuesday, 02-04-20 2:30PM in House conference room 309.