HB 1892: Board of Education; Public School Teacher Representative

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the board of education serves as the policy-making body for the State's public school system.  While the board of education currently includes a nonvoting student representative and a nonvoting military representative, the board does not have a formal seat for a public school teacher.

     The legislature further finds that teachers are the primary implementers of board of education policy and possess unique, ground-level insights into the challenges and opportunities within Hawaii's classrooms.  The legislature believes that adding a nonvoting teacher representative from bargaining unit (5) will ensure that the board has direct access to professional pedagogical expertise and first hand knowledge of the impact of policy decisions on students and educators.

     The purpose of this Act is to add a nonvoting teacher representative, to be selected by the exclusive representative of bargaining unit (5), to the board of education.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-121, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§302A-121[]]  Board of education; members; student [and], military, and teacher representatives.  (a)  The board shall consist of nine voting members as follows:

     (1)  One member from the county of Hawaii;

     (2)  One member from the county of Maui;

     (3)  One member from the county of Kauai;

     (4)  Three members from the city and county of Honolulu; and

     (5)  Three at-large members; provided that the governor shall select an at-large member as the chairperson.

The members shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate.  The governor may remove or suspend for cause any member of the board.

     (b)  Pursuant to article XVIII, section 12, of the Hawaii State Constitution, the period of transition from the elected to the appointed board shall be as determined in section 21 of Act 5, Session Laws of Hawaii 2011.

     (c)  The members of the board shall serve without pay but shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses, including travel and board and lodging expenses, while attending meetings of the board or when actually engaged in business relating to the work of the board.

     (d)  Pursuant to section 302A-447, the state student council shall select a nonvoting public high school student representative to the board.

     (e)  Pursuant to section 302A-1101(c), the board shall invite the senior military commander in Hawaii to appoint a nonvoting military representative to the board.

     (f)  The exclusive representative for bargaining unit (5) shall appoint to the board a nonvoting public school teacher representative, who shall be in good standing with the exclusive representative.  The term of the nonvoting public school teacher representative shall be two years; provided that the nonvoting public school teacher representative may be reappointed for one additional consecutive term of two years.

     (g)  The nonvoting public school teacher representative appointed pursuant to subsection (f) shall be allowed to participate in all board meetings and shall be allowed to enter into executive sessions; provided that the nonvoting public school teacher representative shall be excluded from any executive session that involves matters related to collective bargaining negotiations or other personnel matters that may pose a conflict of interest."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Board of Education; Public School Teacher Representative

Description:

Requires the exclusive representative for bargaining unit (5) to appoint to the Board of Education a nonvoting public school teacher representative.  Authorizes the nonvoting public school teacher representative to participate in all Board of Education meetings and enter into executive sessions, except in certain matters related to collective bargaining negotiations or personnel matters that may pose a conflict of interest.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD3)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the board of education serves as the policy-making body for the State's public school system.  While the board of education currently includes a nonvoting student representative and a nonvoting military representative, the board does not have a formal seat for a public school teacher.

     The legislature further finds that teachers are the primary implementers of board of education policy and possess unique, ground-level insights into the challenges and opportunities within Hawaii's classrooms.  The legislature believes that adding a nonvoting teacher representative from bargaining unit (5) will ensure that the board has direct access to professional pedagogical expertise and first hand knowledge of the impact of policy decisions on students and educators.

     The purpose of this Act is to add a nonvoting teacher representative, to be selected by the exclusive representative of bargaining unit (5), to the board of education.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-121, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§302A-121[]]  Board of education; members; student [and], military, and teacher representatives.  (a)  The board shall consist of nine voting members as follows:

     (1)  One member from the county of Hawaii;

     (2)  One member from the county of Maui;

     (3)  One member from the county of Kauai;

     (4)  Three members from the city and county of Honolulu; and

     (5)  Three at-large members; provided that the governor shall select an at-large member as the chairperson.

The members shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate.  The governor may remove or suspend for cause any member of the board.

     (b)  Pursuant to article XVIII, section 12, of the Hawaii State Constitution, the period of transition from the elected to the appointed board shall be as determined in section 21 of Act 5, Session Laws of Hawaii 2011.

     (c)  The members of the board shall serve without pay but shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses, including travel and board and lodging expenses, while attending meetings of the board or when actually engaged in business relating to the work of the board.

     (d)  Pursuant to section 302A-447, the state student council shall select a nonvoting public high school student representative to the board.

     (e)  Pursuant to section 302A-1101(c), the board shall invite the senior military commander in Hawaii to appoint a nonvoting military representative to the board.

     (f)  The exclusive representative for bargaining unit (5) shall appoint to the board a nonvoting public school teacher representative, who shall be in good standing.  The term of the nonvoting public school teacher representative shall be two years; provided that the nonvoting public school teacher representative may be reappointed for one additional consecutive term of two years.

     (g)  The nonvoting public school teacher representative appointed pursuant to subsection (f) shall be allowed to participate in all board meetings and shall be allowed to enter into executive sessions; provided that the nonvoting public school teacher representative shall be excluded from any executive session that involves matters related to collective bargaining negotiations or other personnel matters that may pose a conflict of interest."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Board of Education; Public School Teacher Representative

Description:

Requires the exclusive representative for bargaining unit (5) to appoint to the Board of Education a nonvoting public school teacher representative.  Authorizes the nonvoting public school teacher representative to participate in all Board of Education meetings and enter into executive sessions, except in certain matters related to collective bargaining negotiations or personnel matters that may pose a conflict of interest.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the board of education serves as the policy-making body for the State's public school system.  While the board of education currently includes a nonvoting student representative and a nonvoting military representative, the board does not have a formal seat for a public school teacher.

     The legislature further finds that teachers are the primary implementers of board of education policy and possess unique, ground-level insights into the challenges and opportunities within Hawaii's classrooms.  The legislature believes that adding a nonvoting teacher representative from bargaining unit (5) will ensure that the board has direct access to professional pedagogical expertise and first and knowledge of the impact of policy decisions on students and educators.

     The purpose of this Act is to add a nonvoting teacher representative, to be selected by the exclusive representative of bargaining unit(5), to the board of education.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-121, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§302A-121[]]  Board of education; members; student [and], military, and teacher representatives.  (a)  The board shall consist of nine voting members as follows:

     (1)  One member from the county of Hawaii;

     (2)  One member from the county of Maui;

     (3)  One member from the county of Kauai;

     (4)  Three members from the city and county of Honolulu; and

     (5)  Three at-large members; provided that the governor shall select an at-large member as the chairperson.

The members shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate.  The governor may remove or suspend for cause any member of the board.

     (b)  Pursuant to article XVIII, section 12, of the Hawaii State Constitution, the period of transition from the elected to the appointed board shall be as determined in section 21 of Act 5, Session Laws of Hawaii 2011.

     (c)  The members of the board shall serve without pay but shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses, including travel and board and lodging expenses, while attending meetings of the board or when actually engaged in business relating to the work of the board.

     (d)  Pursuant to section 302A-447, the state student council shall select a nonvoting public high school student representative to the board.

     (e)  Pursuant to section 302A-1101(c), the board shall invite the senior military commander in Hawaii to appoint a nonvoting military representative to the board.

     (f)  The exclusive representative for bargaining unit (5) shall appoint to the board a nonvoting public school teacher representative, who shall be in good standing.  The term of the nonvoting public school teacher representative shall be two years; provided that the nonvoting public school teacher representative may be reappointed for one additional consecutive term of two years.

     (g)  The nonvoting public school teacher representative appointed pursuant to subsection (f) shall be allowed to participate in all board meetings and shall be allowed to enter into executive sessions; provided that the nonvoting public school teacher representative shall be excluded from any executive session that involves matters related to collective bargaining negotiations or other personnel matters that may pose a conflict of interest."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Board of Education; Public School Teacher Representative

Description:

Requires the exclusive representative for bargaining unit (5) to appoint to the Board of Education a nonvoting public school teacher representative.  Authorizes the nonvoting public school teacher representative to participate in all Board of Education meetings and enter into executive sessions, except in certain matters related to collective bargaining negotiations or personnel matters that may pose a conflict of interest.  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.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the board of education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the board of education serves as the policy-making body for the State's public school system.  While the board of education currently includes a nonvoting student representative and a nonvoting military representative, the board does not have a formal seat for a public school teacher.

     The legislature further finds that teachers are the primary implementers of board of education policy and possess unique, ground-level insights into the challenges and opportunities within Hawaii's classrooms.  The legislature believes that adding a nonvoting teacher representative from bargaining unit (5) will ensure that the board has direct access to professional pedagogical expertise and first and knowledge of the impact of policy decisions on students and educators.

     The purpose of this Act is to add a nonvoting teacher representative, to be selected by the exclusive representative of bargaining unit(5), to the board of education.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-121, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§302A-121[]]  Board of education; members; student [and], military, and teacher representatives.  (a)  The board shall consist of nine voting members as follows:

     (1)  One member from the county of Hawaii;

     (2)  One member from the county of Maui;

     (3)  One member from the county of Kauai;

     (4)  Three members from the city and county of Honolulu; and

     (5)  Three at-large members; provided that the governor shall select an at-large member as the chairperson.

The members shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate.  The governor may remove or suspend for cause any member of the board.

     (b)  Pursuant to article XVIII, section 12, of the Hawaii State Constitution, the period of transition from the elected to the appointed board shall be as determined in section 21 of Act 5, Session Laws of Hawaii 2011.

     (c)  The members of the board shall serve without pay but shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses, including travel and board and lodging expenses, while attending meetings of the board or when actually engaged in business relating to the work of the board.

     (d)  Pursuant to section 302A-447, the state student council shall select a nonvoting public high school student representative to the board.

     (e)  Pursuant to section 302A-1101(c), the board shall invite the senior military commander in Hawaii to appoint a nonvoting military representative to the board.

     (f)  The exclusive representative for bargaining unit (5) shall appoint to the board a nonvoting public school teacher representative, who shall be in good standing.  The term of the nonvoting public school teacher representative shall be two years; provided that the nonvoting public school teacher representative may be reappointed for one additional consecutive term of two years.

     (g)  The nonvoting public school teacher representative appointed pursuant to subsection (f) shall be allowed to participate in all board meetings and shall be allowed to enter into executive sessions; provided that the nonvoting public school teacher representative shall be excluded from any executive session that involves matters related to collective bargaining negotiations or other personnel matters that may pose a conflict of interest."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Board of Education; Public School Teacher Representative

Description:

Requires the exclusive representative for bargaining unit (5) to appoint to the Board of Education a nonvoting public school teacher representative.  Authorizes the nonvoting public school teacher representative to participate in all Board of Education meetings and enter into executive sessions, except in certain matters related to collective bargaining negotiations or personnel matters that may pose a conflict of interest.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1137-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 1892

      H.D. 3

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1892, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require the exclusive representative for bargaining unit (5) to appoint a nonvoting public school teacher representative to the Board of Education; and

     (2)  Authorize the nonvoting public school teacher representative to participate in all Board meetings and enter executive sessions, except in certain matters related to collective bargaining or personnel issues.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association and Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO and Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Education and Office of Collective Bargaining.

     Your Committee finds that the Board of Education makes significant statewide policy decisions that carry legal, governance, and constitutional implications, yet lacks formal representation from teachers who directly experience the effects of these decisions.  Your Committee further finds that ensuring a teacher voice on the Board promotes transparency, fairness, and more informed policymaking.  Your Committee believes that establishing a nonvoting teacher representative will strengthen the Board's deliberative process by embedding classroom level expertise into decisions that shape the State's educational and legal landscape.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying that the appointed nonvoting public school teacher must be in good standing with the exclusive representative.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1892, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1892, H.D. 3.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  478-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 1892

      H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 1892, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require the exclusive representative for bargaining unit (5) to appoint to the Board of Education a nonvoting public school teacher representative; and

     (2)  Authorize the nonvoting public school teacher representative to participate in all Board meetings and enter executive sessions, except in certain matters related to collective bargaining or personnel issues.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association and Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Education; Office of Collective Bargaining; and United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO.

     Your Committee finds that although the Board of Education includes nonvoting student and military representatives, it does not currently provide a formal seat for public school teachers, who are the primary implementers of board policy and possess firsthand insight into classroom realities.  Your Committee further finds that elevating teacher perspectives at the board level will strengthen policy deliberations by grounding them in professional pedagogical experience and the lived impact of decisions on students and educators.  This measure ensures more informed decision‑making and enhances the board’s connection to classroom‑level needs.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1892, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1892, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  22-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 1892

      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. 1892 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Add a nonvoting public school teacher representative, to be selected by the exclusive representative of bargaining unit(5), to the Board of Education; and

     (2)  Authorize the nonvoting public school teacher representative to participate in all Board of Education meetings and enter into executive sessions, except in certain matters related to collective bargaining negotiations or personnel matters that may pose a conflict of interest.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus; and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Education; and United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO.

     Your Committee finds that the Board of Education consists of nine voting members, none of whom are required to be a public school teacher.  Your Committee further finds that appointment of a current public school teacher as a nonvoting member to the Board will provide first-hand experience and expertise on the educational climate in the State's public schools, impact of education policies on teacher recruitment and retention, and resources needed to deliver a quality learning experience for all of Hawaii's children.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000.

     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. 1892, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1892, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Labor.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,