HB 1893: Department of Education; Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program; Public Charter School Teachers

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 302A-706, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is established within the department the teacher national board certification incentive program to recognize and support exemplary teaching practice by supporting all public school teachers, including public charter school teachers, who have achieved national board certification under the certification program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.  The teacher national board certification incentive program shall provide:

     (1)  A $5,000 bonus per year for each public school teacher, including each public charter school teacher, who maintains current national board certification;

     (2)  $1,500 upon completing all components of the certification program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards;

     (3)  A reimbursement of the remainder of the national board certification application fee upon achievement of national board certification; and

     (4)  An additional $5,000 bonus per year for each public school teacher, including each public charter school teacher, who maintains current national board certification and who teaches at:

          (A)  A school in a focus, priority, or superintendent's zone, or other similar designation, as determined by the department;

          (B)  A school with a high turnover rate, as determined by the department; or

          (C)  A hard-to-fill school, as determined by the department."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 31, 2055.

Report Title:

Department of Education; Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program; Public Charter School Teachers

Description:

Clarifies that public charter school teachers are eligible for incentives under the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program.  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.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 302A-706, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is established within the department the teacher national board certification incentive program to recognize and support exemplary teaching practice by supporting all public school teachers, including public charter school teachers, who have achieved national board certification under the certification program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.  The teacher national board certification incentive program shall provide:

     (1)  A [$5,000] $           bonus per year for each public school teacher, including each public charter school teacher, who maintains current national board certification;

     (2)  $1,500 upon completing all components of the certification program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards;

     (3)  A reimbursement of the remainder of the national board certification application fee upon achievement of national board certification; and

     (4)  An additional [$5,000] $           bonus per year for each public school teacher, including each public charter school teacher, who maintains current national board certification and who teaches at:

          (A)  A school in a focus, priority, or superintendent's zone, or other similar designation, as determined by the department;

          (B)  A school with a high turnover rate, as determined by the department; or

          (C)  A hard-to-fill school, as determined by the department."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Department of Education; Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program; Public Charter School Teachers

Description:

Clarifies that public charter school teachers are eligible for incentives under the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program.  Increases the bonuses per year for each public school teacher and public charter school teacher who maintains current national board certification.  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 EDUCATION.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 302A-706, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is established within the department the teacher national board certification incentive program to recognize and support exemplary teaching practice by supporting all public school teachers, including public charter school teachers, who have achieved national board certification under the certification program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.  The teacher national board certification incentive program shall provide:

     (1)  A [$5,000] $10,000 bonus per year for each public school teacher, including each public charter school teacher, who maintains current national board certification;

     (2)  $1,500 upon completing all components of the certification program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards;

     (3)  A reimbursement of the remainder of the national board certification application fee upon achievement of national board certification; and

     (4)  An additional $5,000 bonus per year for each public school teacher, including each public charter school teacher, who maintains current national board certification and who teaches at:

          (A)  A school in a focus, priority, or superintendent's zone, or other similar designation, as determined by the department;

          (B)  A school with a high turnover rate, as determined by the department; or

          (C)  A hard-to-fill school, as determined by the department."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Department of Education; Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program; Public Charter School Teachers

Description:

Clarifies that public charter school teachers are eligible for incentives under the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program.  Increases the bonus per year for each public school teacher and public charter school teacher who maintains current national board certification from $5,000 to $10,000.  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 education.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 302A-706, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is established within the department the teacher national board certification incentive program to recognize and support exemplary teaching practice by supporting all public school teachers, including public charter school teachers, who have achieved national board certification under the certification program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.  The teacher national board certification incentive program shall provide:

     (1)  A [$5,000] $10,000 bonus per year for each public school teacher, including each public charter school teacher, who maintains current national board certification;

     (2)  $1,500 upon completing all components of the certification program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards;

     (3)  A reimbursement of the remainder of the national board certification application fee upon achievement of national board certification; and

     (4)  An additional $5,000 bonus per year for each public school teacher, including each public charter school teacher, who maintains current national board certification and who teaches at:

          (A)  A school in a focus, priority, or superintendent's zone, or other similar designation, as determined by the department;

          (B)  A school with a high turnover rate, as determined by the department; or

          (C)  A hard-to-fill school, as determined by the department."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Department of Education; Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program; Public Charter School Teachers

Description:

Clarifies that public charter school teachers are eligible for incentives under the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program.  Increases the bonus per year for each public school teacher and public charter school teacher who maintains current national board certification from $5,000 to $10,000.

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.  1034-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 1893

      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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1893, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Clarify that public charter school teachers are eligible for incentives under the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program; and

     (2)  Increase the bonus per year for each public school teacher and public charter school teacher who maintains current national board certification.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; State Public Charter School Commission; Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board; Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of Collective Bargaining.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the annual bonuses for each public school teacher and public charter school teacher who maintains current national board certification to unspecified amounts.

     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. 1893, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1893, H.D. 2.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  479-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 1893

      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 Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 1893, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Clarify that public charter school teachers are eligible for incentives under the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program; and

     (2)  Increase the annual bonus for teachers who maintain national board certification from $5,000 to $10,000.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Hawaiʻi Teachers Standards Board; Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of Collective Bargaining.

     Your Committee finds that national board-certified teachers contribute significantly to improved instructional quality and student achievement, yet existing incentives have not adequately reflected the rigor and cost of achieving and maintaining certification.  Your Committee further finds that excluding public charter school teachers from eligibility has limited the State's ability to build a consistent pipeline of highly effective educators across all public education settings.  This measure strengthens teacher retention and supports high‑quality instruction statewide.

     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. 1893, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  23-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 1893

      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. 1893 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Clarify that public charter school teachers are eligible for incentives under the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program; and

     (2)  Increase the bonus per year for each public school teacher and public charter school teacher who maintains a national board certification from $5,000 to $10,000.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; State Public Charter School Commission; Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board; Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; and five individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of Collective Bargaining.

     Your Committee finds that teachers are the most important element in facilitating student learning.  Your Committee further finds that, according to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, research shows that students of board‑certified teachers learn more than their peers who are taught by teachers who are not board certified.  The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification is the highest professional distinction available in education for teachers.

     Your Committee notes that the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program was established to recognize and support exemplary teaching practice by supporting public school teachers who have achieved national board certification under the Program.  Your Committee recognizes that public charter school teachers are just as deserving of a bonus for maintaining this certification as other public school teachers.  Your Committee believes that continuing to incentivize teachers, including public charter school teachers, to obtain and maintain this certification requires adjusting the bonus for board certification to account for increases in the State's cost of living.

     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. 1893, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1893, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Labor.

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