HB 1785: DOE; Superintendent; Student Transportation; Penalty; School Bus Fare Revolving Fund
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2026-05-01
Current Status:
Passed
(2026-07-14: Act 238, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1340).)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill lets the state superintendent suspend or remove a contractor’s school bus route or part of a route and hire another carrier when the contractor fails to provide service for five or more consecutive school days, affecting bus contractors and students who use school transportation. It also lets the Department of Education charge a financial penalty—up to 100% of the daily contract rate or the cost of replacement service per day—if a contractor fails to run a route without an approved excuse. Collected penalties go into the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to help pay for replacement services.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Authorizes the Superintendent to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted service capacity or designated service segment for five or more consecutive instructional days. Authorizes the Department of Education to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a designated service segment without an approved justification. Authorizes the use of the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services. (CD1)
Authorizes the Superintendent to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted service capacity or designated service segment for five or more consecutive instructional days. Authorizes the Department of Education to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a designated service segment without an approved justification. Authorizes the use of the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)
Authorizes the Department of Education to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days. Authorizes the use of the school bus fare revolving fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Authorizes the Department of Education to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days. Requires the Department to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a contracted route without an approved justification. Specifies that the assessed penalties be deposited into the school bus fare revolving fund. Authorizes the use of the school bus fare revolving fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1785 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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C.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that some school bus contractors enter into contracts but are later unable to provide transportation for all contracted routes. Under existing law, the department of education cannot simply cancel or reassign the unfulfilled portion of the contract. This leaves students without access to school transportation.
The purpose of this Act is to provide the department of education with flexibility to remove or suspend portions of school bus contracts if the contractor does not provide services for five or more instructional days, subject to approval by the superintendent.
SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§302A- Student transportation contracts; failure to provide service. (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when a contractor under a student transportation contract with the department fails to provide service on a contracted service capacity or designated service segment for five or more consecutive instructional days, the superintendent may temporarily suspend or remove the designated service segment or segments from the contract.
(b) The superintendent may specify conditions and timelines for, and other limitations on, the suspension or removal of a contracted service capacity or designated service segment, as deemed necessary to protect the public interest.
(c) In addition to subsection (a), the superintendent may enter into an interim agreement with another qualified carrier to provide transportation for the contracted service capacity or capacities, or designated service segment or segments.
(d) Any interim agreement executed pursuant to this section shall be conducted as an emergency procurement pursuant to section 103D-307; provided that:
(1) The agreement shall be limited to the scope of the suspended or removed contracted service capacity or capacities, or designated service segment or segments;
(2) The agreement shall not exceed twelve months in duration or the remainder of the school year, whichever is less; and
(3) The department shall ensure compliance with all applicable student safety standards.
(e) The department shall complete a competitive procurement under chapter 103D for a permanent replacement service within twelve months of executing an interim agreement under subsection (d).
(f) Pursuant to the remedies for contractor non-performance established in chapter 103D and applicable administrative rules, the department may assess a financial penalty against any contractor that fails to provide service on a contracted service capacity or designated service segment without an approved justification. The penalty may be up to one hundred per cent of the daily contract rate or liquidated damages equal to the reasonable cost of replacement transportation services, whichever is greater, for each day the service is unfulfilled. Collected penalties shall be deposited into the school bus fare revolving fund under section 302A-407.5 and may be expended to offset costs associated with procuring replacement transportation services.
(g) The suspension or removal of a contracted service capacity or designated service segment under this section shall be deemed a termination for default in part pursuant to chapter 103D and applicable administrative rules.
(h) The removal or suspension of a contracted service capacity or designated service segment under this section, and the execution of an interim agreement, shall not otherwise affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of the contract."
SECTION 3. Section 302A-407.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) Except as otherwise provided by the
legislature, moneys in the school bus fare revolving fund shall be used [for]:
(1) For school busing services, as
authorized by section 302A-406[.]; and
(2) To offset costs associated with procuring replacement services for a student transportation contract under section 302A- ."
SECTION 4. All requests for proposals issued by the department of education for student transportation services, and all contracts executed by the department of education for student transportation services, after the effective date of this Act, shall specifically reference section 302A- , Hawaii Revised Statutes.
SECTION 5. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
DOE; Superintendent; Student Transportation; Penalty; School Bus Fare Revolving Fund
Description:
Authorizes the Superintendent to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted service capacity or designated service segment for five or more consecutive instructional days. Authorizes the Department of Education to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a designated service segment without an approved justification. Authorizes the use of the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services. (CD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1785 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that some school bus contractors enter into contracts but are later unable to provide transportation for all contracted routes. Under existing law, the department of education cannot simply cancel or reassign the unfulfilled portion of the contract. This leaves students without access to school transportation.
The purpose of this Act is to provide the department of education with flexibility to remove or suspend portions of school bus contracts if the contractor does not provide services for five or more instructional days, subject to approval by the superintendent.
SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§302A- Student transportation contracts; failure to provide service. (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when a contractor under a student transportation contract with the department fails to provide service on a contracted service capacity or designated service segment for five or more consecutive instructional days, the superintendent may temporarily suspend or remove the designated service segment or segments from the contract.
(b) The superintendent may specify conditions and timelines for, and other limitations on, the suspension or removal of a contracted service capacity or designated service segment, as deemed necessary to protect the public interest.
(c) In addition to subsection (a), the superintendent may enter into an interim agreement with another qualified carrier to provide transportation for the contracted service capacity or capacities, or designated service segment or segments.
(d) An interim agreement executed pursuant to this section shall be exempt from chapter 103D; provided that:
(1) The agreement shall be limited to the scope of the suspended or removed contracted service capacity or capacities, or designated service segment or segments;
(2) The agreement shall not exceed twelve months in duration or the remainder of the school year, whichever is less; and
(3) The department shall ensure compliance with all applicable student safety standards.
(e) The department shall complete a competitive procurement under chapter 103D for a permanent replacement service within twelve months of executing an interim agreement under subsection (d).
(f) The department may assess a financial penalty against any contractor that fails to provide service on a contracted service capacity or designated service segment without an approved justification. The penalty may be up to one hundred per cent of the daily contract rate or liquidated damages equal to the reasonable cost of replacement transportation services, whichever is greater, for each day the service is unfulfilled. Collected penalties shall be deposited into the school bus fare revolving fund under section 302A-407.5 and may be expended to offset costs associated with procuring replacement transportation services.
(g) The suspension or removal of a contracted service capacity or designated service segment under this section shall be deemed a termination for default in part pursuant to chapter 103D and applicable administrative rules.
(h) The removal or suspension of a contracted service capacity or designated service segment under this section, and the execution of an interim agreement, shall not otherwise affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of the contract."
SECTION 3. Section 302A-407.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) Except as otherwise provided by the
legislature, moneys in the school bus fare revolving fund shall be used [for]:
(1) For school busing services, as
authorized by section 302A-406[.]; and
(2) To offset costs associated with procuring replacement services for a student transportation contract under section 302A- ."
SECTION 4. All requests for proposals issued by the department of education for student transportation services, and all contracts executed by the department of education for student transportation services, after the effective date of this Act, shall specifically reference section 302A- , Hawaii Revised Statutes.
SECTION 5. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 31, 2055.
Report Title:
DOE; Superintendent; Student Transportation; Penalty; School Bus Fare Revolving Fund
Description:
Authorizes the Superintendent to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted service capacity or designated service segment for five or more consecutive instructional days. Authorizes the Department of Education to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a designated service segment without an approved justification. Authorizes the use of the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1785 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that some school bus contractors enter into contracts but are later unable to provide transportation for all contracted routes. Under existing law, the department of education cannot simply cancel or reassign the unfulfilled portion of the contract. This leaves students without access to school transportation.
The purpose of this Act is to provide the department of education with flexibility to remove or suspend portions of school bus contracts if the contractor does not provide services for five or more instructional days.
SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§302A- Student transportation contracts; failure to provide service. (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when a contractor under a student transportation contract with the department fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days, the department may recommend to the governor the suspension or removal of the affected route or routes from the contract.
(b) The governor may specify conditions and timelines for, and other limitations on, the suspension or removal of a route, as deemed necessary to protect the public interest.
(c) Upon written approval by the governor, the department may:
(1) Remove or temporarily suspend the affected route or routes from the contract; and
(2) Enter into an interim agreement with another qualified carrier to provide transportation for the affected route or routes.
(d) An interim agreement executed under this section shall be exempt from chapter 103D; provided that:
(1) The agreement shall be limited to the scope of the suspended or removed route or routes;
(2) The agreement shall not exceed thirty months in duration; and
(3) The department shall ensure compliance with all applicable student safety standards.
(e) The department shall complete a competitive procurement under chapter 103D for a permanent replacement service within thirty months of executing an interim agreement under subsection (d).
(f) The removal or suspension of a route under this section, and the execution of an interim agreement, shall not otherwise affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of the contract."
SECTION 3. Section 302A-407.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§302A-407.5[]] School bus fare revolving fund. (a)
There is established in the state treasury the school bus fare revolving
fund, into which shall be deposited all moneys received from students and
parents or guardians of students by public schools for state-provided school
busing services, as authorized by section 302A-406.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by the
legislature, moneys in the school bus fare revolving fund shall be used [for]:
(1) For school busing services, as
authorized by section 302A-406[.]; and
(2) To offset costs associated with procuring replacement services for a student transportation contract under section 302A- ."
SECTION 4. All requests for proposals issued by the department of education for student transportation services, and all contracts executed by the department of education for student transportation services, after the effective
date of this Act, shall specifically reference section 302A- , Hawaii Revised Statutes.
SECTION 5. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
DOE; Student Transportation; Governor
Description:
Authorizes the Department of Education to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days. Authorizes the use of the school bus fare revolving fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1785 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to student transportation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that some school bus contractors enter into contracts but are later unable to provide transportation for all contracted routes. Under existing law, the department of education cannot simply cancel or reassign the unfulfilled portion of the contract. This leaves students without access to school transportation.
The purpose of this Act is to provide the department of education with flexibility to remove or suspend portions of school bus contracts if the contractor does not provide services for five or more instructional days.
SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§302A- Student transportation contracts; failure to provide service. (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days, the department may recommend to the governor the suspension or removal of the affected route or routes from the contract.
(b) The governor may specify conditions and timelines for, and other limitations on, the suspension or removal of a route, as deemed necessary to protect the public interest.
(c) Upon written approval by the governor, the department may:
(1) Remove or temporarily suspend the affected route or routes from the contract; and
(2) Enter into an interim agreement with another qualified carrier to provide transportation for the affected route or routes.
(d) An interim agreement executed under this section shall be exempt from chapter 103D; provided that:
(1) The agreement shall be limited to the scope of the suspended or removed route or routes;
(2) The agreement shall not exceed thirty months in duration; and
(3) The department shall ensure compliance with all applicable student safety standards.
(e) The department shall complete a competitive procurement under chapter 103D for a permanent replacement service within thirty months of executing an interim agreement under subsection (d).
(f) The department shall assess a financial penalty against any contractor that fails to provide service on a contracted route without an approved justification. The penalty shall be twenty-five per cent of the daily contract for each day the route is unfulfilled. Collected penalties shall be deposited into the school bus fare revolving fund under section 302A-407.5 and may be expended to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services.
(g) The removal or suspension of a route under this section, and the execution of an interim agreement, shall not otherwise affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of the contract."
SECTION 3. Section 302A-407.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§302A-407.5[]] School bus fare revolving fund. (a)
There is established in the state treasury the school bus fare revolving
fund, into which shall be deposited [all]:
(1) All moneys received from
students and parents or guardians of students by public schools for
state-provided school busing services, as authorized by section 302A-406[.];
and
(2) Financial penalties assessed under section 302A- .
(b) Except as otherwise provided by the
legislature, moneys in the school bus fare revolving fund shall be used [for]:
(1) For school busing services, as
authorized by section 302A-406[.]; and
(2) To offset costs associated with procuring replacement services for a student transportation contact under section 302A- ."
SECTION 4. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
DOE; Student Transportation; Governor
Description:
Authorizes the Department of Education to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days. Requires the Department to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a contracted route without an approved justification. Specifies that the assessed penalties be deposited into the school bus fare revolving fund. Authorizes the use of the school bus fare revolving fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Jul 14, 2026 | Act 238, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1340). |
| Jul 14, 2026 | Act 238, 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1340). |
| May 8, 2026 | Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888). |
| May 7, 2026 | Transmitted to Governor. |
| May 6, 2026 | Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816). |
| May 6, 2026 | Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). |
| May 6, 2026 | Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none. |
| May 1, 2026 | 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26 |
| May 1, 2026 | Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 108-26). |
| May 1, 2026 | Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26. |
| May 1, 2026 | Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 108-26) as amended in (CD 1). |
| Apr 30, 2026 | The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Apr 30, 2026 | The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) La Chica, Lee, M., Olds, Woodson, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Apr 29, 2026 | Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 2:45PM in conference room 229. |
| Apr 28, 2026 | Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-29-26 3:00PM in conference room 229. |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-28-26 2:55PM; Conference Room 229. |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 778). |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Senate Conferees Appointed: Kim Chair; Hashimoto Co-Chair; DeCorte. |
| Apr 20, 2026 | Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786). |
| Apr 20, 2026 | House Conferees Appointed: La Chica, Lee, M. Co-Chairs; Olds, Woodson, Souza. |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 599). |
| Apr 14, 2026 | House disagrees with Senate amendment (s). |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 527) in amended form (SD 1). |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. |
| Apr 9, 2026 | One Day Notice 04-10-26. |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3637) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading. |
| Apr 7, 2026 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C.. |
| Apr 2, 2026 | The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-07-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3386) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Mar 23, 2026 | 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) Kim, Kidani, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga. |
| Mar 18, 2026 | The committee(s) on EDU deferred the measure until 03-23-26 1:10PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 16, 2026 | The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 03-18-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Referred to EDU, WAM. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Passed First Reading. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 157). |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso, Sayama excused (2). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 949-26), recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Mar 3, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Feb 27, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 03-03-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 19, 2026 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). |
| Feb 19, 2026 | Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 488-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. |
| Feb 12, 2026 | The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Kapela, Kila, Olds, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Garrett. |
| Feb 10, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by EDN on Thursday, 02-12-26 2:00PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 1 |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Pending introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2026 | Final Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| May 6, 2026 | Final Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 10, 2026 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 7, 2026 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | Senate Standing Committee on Ways and Means |
Passed |
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| Mar 23, 2026 | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
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| Mar 6, 2026 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Mar 3, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Finance |
Passed |
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| Feb 12, 2026 | The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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|---|---|---|
| Central District Parent & Teacher | *** Support | Mar 3, 2026 |
| Hoaloha Project | ** Support | |
| Pearl City Neighborhood Board | *** Support | Apr 7, 2026 |
| Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21 | *** Support | Apr 7, 2026 |
| Teach for America Hawaiʻi | *** Support | Mar 18, 2026 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 949-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 1785
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1785, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Authorize the Department of Education, subject to approval by the Governor, to remove or suspend portions of a student transportation contract and enter into an interim agreement with another qualified carrier, if the contractor fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days; and
(2) Authorize the use of the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1785, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,
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____________________________ CHRIS TODD, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 488-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 1785
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1785 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Authorize the Department of Education to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days;
(2) Require the Department to assess a penalty, to be deposited into the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund, if a contractor fails to provide service on a contracted route without an approved justification; and
(3) Authorize the use of the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services.
Your Committee finds that, even though the number of school bus drivers has grown since the Governor's August 2, 2024, emergency proclamation regarding school bus services, the Department of Education is still facing a shortage of drivers. Your Committee further finds that some school bus contractors sign contracts to provide bus services but later fail to provide the transportation for all of their contracted routes.
Your Committee notes that the existing laws do not allow the Department of Education to cancel or reassign the portions of contracts that are not being fulfilled, resulting in lack of access for students to school transportation. This measure provides the Department of Education with flexibility to remove or suspend portions of school bus contracts if the contractor is unable to meet its contracted obligations.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Deleting language that would have required the Department of Education to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a contracted route without an approved justification and deposit the assessed penalty into the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund;
(2) Inserting language clarifying that all requests for proposals issued and all contracts executed by the Department of Education shall specifically reference the new statutory language regarding student transportation contracts and failure to provide service after the effective date of this measure;
(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and
(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1785, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1785, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,
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____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Apr 7, 2026 | HB1785_SD1_TESTIMONY_WAM_04-07-26_.PDF |
| Mar 18, 2026 | HB1785_HD1_TESTIMONY_EDU_03-18-26_.PDF |
| Mar 3, 2026 | HB1785_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_03-03-26_.PDF |
| Feb 12, 2026 | HB1785_TESTIMONY_EDN_02-12-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
3MIN
Conference Committee
3MIN
Conference Committee
1MIN
Conference Committee
1MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Education
1MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Labor and Technology
19MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Education
2MIN
House Standing Committee on Finance
2MIN
House Standing Committee on Education
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
