HB 763: RELATING TO CIVIC EDUCATION.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CIVIC EDUCATION.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that civic education prepares students to participate in the public and political lives of their communities.  Teaching students about the importance of civic engagement through civic education helps develop critical thinking skills that are vital to the functioning of a democratic nation, including how to recognize social problems, evaluate possible solutions to problems, separate evidence-based claims from opinions, and act upon what is learned.

     The legislature further finds that in the 2020 general election, forty states had a higher voter turnout than did Hawaii, which placed Hawaii among the ten states with the lowest voter turnout in the nation.  The legislature also finds that cultivating social and political engagement among students through civic education is an important strategy available to increase voter turnout and citizen engagement over the long term.

     The legislature additionally finds that in 2018, the board of education adopted the Hawaii core standards in social studies.  These core standards outline the content, concepts, and inquiry skills students need to reason, wonder, and think about the vastness and richness of the human condition.  The Hawaii core standards in social studies also integrate and encompass the democratic values, civility, and global perspective needed to support the development of critical thinking and habits of mind that are the hallmark of a mature, community-minded citizen.  The standards are also premised upon a rigorous and relevant K-12 social studies experience.

     The legislature finds that engaging students in the pursuit of active and informed citizenship will connect students to the world through informed instructional experiences that are led by teachers who are committed to active civic participation.  In this way, students will not simply acquire and produce knowledge but will have the knowledge and skills to engage in the workings of a democracy and practice democratic citizenship.  However, the legislature finds that the department of education has not engaged in systematic teacher training on the new standards nor has addressed the paucity of culturally appropriate materials for historical and civic education.

     The purpose of this Act is to increase access to civic education in Hawaii's public school system by:

     (1)  Establishing a Hawaii civic education trust fund for the educational benefit of students in the Hawaii public school system; and

     (2)  Appropriating funds for the expansion of civic education in public schools.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-     Hawaii civic education trust fund; established.  (a)  There is established the Hawaii civic education trust fund as a separate fund of the department.  Moneys received from the State or a county, private contributions of cash and other property, and the income and capital gains earned by the trust fund shall constitute the trust fund assets.  The department shall be responsible for determining the moneys that would be deposited into the trust fund.

     (b)  The department shall have the sole responsibility for the administration and expenditure of moneys from the trust fund for the purposes of this section.

     (c)  The purpose of the trust fund is to serve as a repository for moneys intended for improving, and supporting the programs benefiting, the civic education of the students of the Hawaii public school system.

     (d)  The aggregate principal sum deposited in the trust fund, and any income and capital gains earned by the trust fund but not expended for grantmaking or administration, shall be invested by the superintendent in the State's investment pool to maximize the rate of return on investment of the trust fund consistent with the objective of preserving the trust fund's principal.  The department may hire investment managers either within or outside of the department.

     (e)  In the event of the termination of the trust fund, the unspent appropriations made by the State, if any, shall be distributed to EDN100 (department of education, school-based budgeting).

     (f)  The trust fund may receive contributions, grants, or gifts from corporations or other businesses, foundations, government, individuals, and other interested parties.

     (g)  The trust fund may receive contributions, grants, or gifts in cash or otherwise from all sources.  The public and private sectors shall work together as partners in securing contributions for the trust fund.  The State may allocate moneys to the trust fund by legislative appropriation.

     (h)  There may be an endowment component of the trust fund, as deemed necessary by the superintendent.

     (i)  The superintendent shall oversee the administration and expenditure of funds for the following activities:

     (1)  Grantmaking to raise awareness of the trust fund;

     (2)  Allocation of funds for the operations of the department;

     (3)  Allocation of funds for the civic education of the public school students of this State;

     (4)  Allocation of funds for programs that support the civic education of the public school students of this State;

     (5)  Allocation of funds for public school facilities and classroom resources relating to civic education;

     (6)  Allocation of funds for professional development programs relating to civic education; and

     (7)  Administration of the trust fund; provided that the department may choose to hire outside of the department to administer the trust fund.

     (j)  The superintendent shall develop policies, plans, and strategies for the trust fund; publicize the trust fund; and solicit public and private moneys for the trust fund.

     (k)  For the purposes of this section, "trust fund" or "fund" means the Hawaii civic education trust fund."

     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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the expansion of civic education in public schools, including professional development and classroom resources related to the Hawaii core standards in social studies.

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

     SECTION 4.  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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for      full-time equivalent (     FTE) permanent civic education resource teacher positions.

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

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Civic Education; Civic Education Trust Fund; Department of Education; Resource Teacher; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes the civic education trust fund to support programs benefiting civic education of public school students.  Appropriates funds for the expansion of civic education in the public schools and for full-time equivalent permanent civic education resource teacher positions.  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 civic education.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that civic education prepares students to participate in the public and political lives of their communities.  Teaching students about the importance of civic engagement through civic education helps develop critical thinking skills that are vital to the functioning of a democratic nation, including how to recognize social problems, evaluate possible solutions to problems, separate evidence-based claims from opinions, and act upon what is learned.

     The legislature further finds that in the 2020 general election, forty states had a higher voter turnout than did Hawaii, which placed Hawaii among the ten states with the lowest voter turnout in the nation.  The legislature also finds that cultivating social and political engagement among students through civic education is an important strategy available to increase voter turnout and citizen engagement over the long term.

     The legislature additionally finds that in 2018, the board of education adopted the Hawaii core standards in social studies.  These core standards outline the content, concepts, and inquiry skills students need to reason, wonder, and think about the vastness and richness of the human condition.  The Hawaii core standards in social studies also integrate and encompass the democratic values, civility, and global perspective needed to support the development of critical thinking and habits of mind that are the hallmark of a mature, community-minded citizen.  The standards are also premised upon a rigorous and relevant K-12 social studies experience.

     The legislature finds that engaging students in the pursuit of active and informed citizenship will connect students to the world through informed instructional experiences that are led by teachers who are committed to active civic participation.  In this way, students will not simply acquire and produce knowledge but will have the knowledge and skills to engage in the workings of a democracy and practice democratic citizenship.  However, the legislature finds that the department of education has not engaged in systematic teacher training on the new standards nor has addressed the paucity of culturally appropriate materials for historical and civic education.

     The purpose of this Act is to increase access to civic education in Hawaii's public school system by:

     (1)  Establishing a Hawaii civic education trust fund for the educational benefit of students in the Hawaii public school system; and

     (2)  Appropriating funds for the expansion of civic education in public schools.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-     Hawaii civic education trust fund; established.  (a)  There is established the Hawaii civic education trust fund as a separate fund of the department.  Moneys received from the State or county, private contributions of cash and other property, and the income and capital gains earned by the trust fund shall constitute the trust fund assets.  The department shall be responsible for determining the moneys that would be deposited into the trust fund.

     (b)  The department shall have the sole responsibility for the administration and expenditure of moneys from the trust fund for the purposes of this section.

     (c)  The purpose of the trust fund is to serve as a repository for moneys intended for improving, and supporting the programs benefiting, the civic education of the students of the Hawaii public school system.

     (d)  The aggregate principal sum deposited in the trust fund, and any income and capital gains earned by the trust fund but not expended for grantmaking or administration, shall be invested by the superintendent in the State's investment pool to maximize the rate of return on investment of the trust fund consistent with the objective of preserving the trust fund's principal.  The department shall be allowed to hire investment managers either within or outside of the department.

     (e)  In the event of the termination of the trust fund, the unspent appropriations made by the State, if any, shall be distributed to EDN100 (department of education, school-based budgeting).

     (f)  The trust fund may receive contributions, grants, or gifts from corporations or other businesses, foundations, government, individuals, and other interested parties.

     (g)  The trust fund may receive contributions, grants, or gifts in cash or otherwise from all sources.  The public and private sectors shall work together as partners in securing contributions for the trust fund.  The State may allocate moneys to the trust fund by legislative appropriation.

     (h)  There may be an endowment component of the trust fund, as deemed necessary by the superintendent.

     (i)  The superintendent shall oversee the administration and expenditure of funds for the following activities:

     (1)  Grantmaking to raise awareness of the trust fund;

     (2)  Allocation of funds for the operations of the department;

     (3)  Allocation of funds for the civic education of the public school students of this State;

     (4)  Allocation of funds for programs that support the civic education of the public school students of this State;

     (5)  Allocation of funds for public school facilities and classroom resources relating to civic education;

     (6)  Allocation of funds for professional development programs relating to civic education; and

     (7)  Administration of the trust fund.  The department may choose to hire outside of the department to administer the trust fund.

     (j)  The superintendent shall develop policies, plans, and strategies for the trust fund; publicize the trust fund; and solicit public and private moneys for the trust fund.

     (k)  For the purposes of this section, "trust fund" or "fund" means the Hawaii civic education trust fund."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $84,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the expansion of civic education in public schools, including professional development and classroom resources related to the Hawaii core standards in social studies.

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

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) permanent civic education resource teacher positions.

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

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Civic Education; Civic Education Trust Fund; Department of Education; Resource Teacher; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes the civic education trust fund to support programs benefiting civic education of public school students.  Appropriates funds for the expansion of civic education in the public schools and for two full-time equivalent permanent civic education resource teacher positions.

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.  853

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 763

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 763, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CIVIC EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish a Hawaii Civic Education Trust Fund for the educational benefit of students in the Hawaii public school system; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the expansion of civic education in public schools.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Commission to Promote and Advance Civic Education; American Judicature Society; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus; Young Democrats of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; and seven individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Department of Education.

     Your Committee notes the concern that authorizing the Superintendent of Education to allocate Hawaii Civic Education Trust Fund monies for operations of the Department of Education may go beyond the scope of the title of this measure.

     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. 763, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  344

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 763

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 763 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CIVIC EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish a Hawaii Civic Education Trust Fund for the educational benefit of students in the Hawaii public school system; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the expansion of civic education in public schools.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus; PACE Commission; Hawaiʻi Youth Food Council; Green Party of Hawaiʻi; and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Department of Education.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

     Your Committee finds that civic education prepares students to participate in the public and political lives of their communities and helps them develop critical thinking skills that are vital to the functioning of a democratic nation.  Your Committee further finds that the establishment of a Hawaii Civic Education Trust Fund and providing funding to the Department of Education to increase access to civic education in Hawaii's public school systems will increase voter turnout and citizen engagement over the long term.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the amount appropriated and amount of positions to be funded to unspecified amounts;

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

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of:

     (1)  $84,000 for the expansion of civic education in public schools; and

     (2)  $200,000 for two permanent civic education resource teacher positions.

     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. 763, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 763, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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