HB 2565: DOE; State Public Charter School Commission; Education Week; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TEACHERS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that high-quality educators are crucial to the wellbeing of Hawaii's keiki and communities.  As such, the legislature continues to strive towards attracting and retaining high-quality educators as well as further acknowledging their ongoing success.

     The legislature further finds that addressing teacher recognition is critical to ensuring access to high-quality learning opportunities for all students in Hawaii.

     The legislature therefore finds that providing a financial award for exemplary performance would help demonstrate further appreciation for their efforts.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to provide educators that are recognized by the legislature, during education week, in demonstrating excellence in teaching, leadership, and service with a one-time monetary award of $5,000 to their salaries for each year of recognition, subject to available funds.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of education to provide monetary awards of $5,000 for educators who are recognized in a given year by the legislature via a congratulatory document during education week for their accomplishments, excellence in teaching, leadership, and service.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the state public charter school commission to provide monetary awards of $5,000 for educators who are recognized in a given year by the legislature via a congratulatory document during education week for their accomplishments, excellence in teaching, leadership, and service.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the state public charter school commission for the purposes of this Act.

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

Report Title:

DOE; State Public Charter School Commission; Education Week; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to provide monetary awards to educators who are recognized by the legislature, during education week, for their accomplishments, excellence in teaching, leadership, and service.  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 teachers.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that high-quality educators are crucial to the wellbeing of Hawaii's keiki and communities.  As such, the legislature continues to strive towards attracting and retaining high-quality educators as well as further acknowledging their ongoing success.

     The legislature further finds that addressing teacher recognition is critical to ensuring access to high-quality learning opportunities for all students in Hawaii.

     The legislature therefore finds that providing a financial award for exemplary performance would help demonstrate further appreciation for their efforts.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to provide educators that are recognized by the legislature, during education week, in demonstrating excellence in teaching, leadership, and service with a monetary increase of five thousand dollars in their salaries for each year of recognition, subject to available funds.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of education to provide monetary awards of five thousand dollars for educators who are recognized in a given year by the legislature via a congratulatory document during education week for their accomplishments, excellence in teaching, leadership, and service.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

DOE; Education Week; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to provide monetary awards to educators who are recognized by the legislature, during education week, for their accomplishments, excellence in teaching, leadership, and service.

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.  70-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 2565

      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. 2565 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TEACHERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Education to provide monetary awards to educators who are recognized by the Legislature through a congratulatory document awarded during Education Week.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the State Public Charter School Commission.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that high-quality educators are necessary for the well-being of the State's youth and communities.  Your Committee further finds that addressing teacher recognition is critical to providing high-quality learning opportunities for all students in Hawaii.  This measure would provide a financial award for exemplary performance by educators in recognition of and appreciation for their efforts.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the monetary awards are a one-time increase to an educator's salary for each year of recognition;

     (2)  Appropriating an unspecified amount to the State Public Charter School Commission to additionally provide public charter school educators with a one-time increase to their salary;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for 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. 2565, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2565, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Labor.

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