HB 961: Department of Education; Librarian Pilot Program; Education; Appropriations
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2025-04-26
Current Status:
In Progress
(2025-05-30: Act 135, on 05/30/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1235).)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill creates a two-year pilot in the Department of Education to hire two full-time certified librarians who will rotate support among schools in one Oahu school complex and one neighbor-island school complex. It funds the pilot with about $132,308 per year, roughly $66,154 for each twelve-month librarian position.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Establishes a two-year Librarian Pilot Program to serve one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on an island other than Oahu. Appropriates funds. (CD1)
Establishes a two-year Librarian Pilot Program to serve one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on an island other than Oahu. Appropriates funds. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Establishes and appropriates funds for a two-year librarian pilot program to serve one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on an island other than Oahu. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes and appropriates funds for a two-year librarian pilot program to serve one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
961 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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 EDUCATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that out of the two hundred fifty-eight public elementary, middle, intermediate, and high schools throughout the State, only seventy-five schools have a full-time or part-time librarian position filled to support student learning in 2025.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Establish a two-year pilot program for two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) certified librarians to provide rotating support services to schools in one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island; and
(2) Appropriate funds for the positions.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of education a two-year pilot program for two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) certified librarians to provide rotating support services to one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island. The department of education shall determine which school complexes shall be part of the pilot program.
(b) The department of education shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027. Each report shall include findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, about the pilot project established pursuant to subsection (a). The report submitted prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027 shall make a recommendation as to whether the pilot project should be extended.
(c) The pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2027.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $132,308 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 establishment of two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) twelve-month state office-level teacher positions under the department of education for the pilot program established pursuant to section 2 of this Act; provided that the funds appropriated shall be allocated as follows:
(2) $66,154 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) twelve‑month state office-level teacher position, to be filled by a certified librarian, for a school complex on a neighbor island.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
Report Title:
Department of Education; Librarian Pilot Program; Education; Appropriations
Description:
Establishes a two-year Librarian Pilot Program to serve one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on an island other than Oahu. Appropriates funds. (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. |
961 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that out of the two hundred fifty-eight public elementary, middle, intermediate, and high schools throughout the State, only seventy-five schools have a full-time or part-time librarian position filled to support student learning in 2025.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Establish a two-year pilot program for certified librarians to provide rotating support services to schools in one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island; and
(2) Appropriate funds for the positions.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of education a two-year pilot program for certified librarians to provide rotating support services to one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island. The department of education shall determine which school complexes shall be part of the pilot program.
(b) The department of education shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027. Each report shall include findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, about the pilot project established pursuant to subsection (a). The report submitted prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027 shall make a recommendation as to whether the pilot project should be extended.
(c) The pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2027.
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 establishment of twelve-month state office-level teacher positions under the department of education for the pilot program established pursuant to section 2 of this Act; provided that the funds appropriated shall be allocated as follows:
(2) $ for twelve-month state office-level teacher position, to be filled by a certified librarian, for a school complex on a neighbor island.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Department of Education; Librarian Pilot Program; Education; Appropriations
Description:
Establishes a two-year Librarian Pilot Program to serve one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on an island other than Oahu. Appropriates funds. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (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. |
961 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that out of the two hundred fifty-eight public elementary, middle, intermediate, and high schools throughout the State, only seventy-five have a full-time or part-time librarian position filled to support student learning in 2025.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Establish a two-year pilot program for certified librarians to provide rotating support services to schools in one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island; and
(2) Appropriate funds for the positions.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of education a two-year pilot program for certified librarians to provide rotating support services to one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island. The department of education shall determine which school complexes shall be part of the pilot program.
(b) The department of education shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027. Each report shall include findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, about the pilot project established pursuant to subsection (a). The report submitted prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027 shall make a recommendation as to whether the pilot project should be extended.
(c) The pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2027.
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 establishment of twelve-month state office-level teacher positions under the department of education for the pilot program established pursuant to section 2 of this Act; provided that the funds appropriated shall be allocated as follows:
(2) $ for twelve-month state office-level teacher position, to be filled by a certified librarian, for a school complex on a neighbor island.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Education; DOE; Two-year Librarian Pilot Program; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes and appropriates funds for a two-year librarian pilot program to serve one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on an island other than Oahu. 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. |
961 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that out of the two hundred fifty-eight public elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the State, only seventy-five have a full-time or part-time librarian position filled to support student learning in 2025.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Establish a two-year pilot program for two certified librarians to provide rotating support services to schools in one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island; and
(2) Appropriate funds for the positions.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of education a two-year pilot program for two certified librarians to provide rotating support services to one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island. The department of education shall determine which school complexes shall be part of the pilot program.
(b) The department of education shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027. Each report shall include findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, about the pilot project established pursuant to subsection (a). The report submitted prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027 shall make a recommendation as to whether the pilot project should be extended.
(c) The pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2027.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $132,308 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 establishment of two twelve-month state office-level teacher positions under the department of education for the pilot program established pursuant to section 2 of this Act; provided that the funds appropriated shall be allocated as follows:
(1) $66,154 for one twelve-month state office-level teacher position, to be filled by a certified librarian, for a school complex on Oahu; and
(2) $66,154 for one twelve-month state office-level teacher position, to be filled by a certified librarian, for a school complex on a neighbor island.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Education; DOE; Two-year Librarian Pilot Program; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes and appropriates funds for a two-year librarian pilot program to serve one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island.
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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| May 30, 2025 | Act 135, on 05/30/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1235). |
| May 30, 2025 | Act 135, 05/30/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1235). |
| May 1, 2025 | Transmitted to Governor. |
| May 2, 2025 | Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 821). |
| May 1, 2025 | Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 888). |
| Apr 30, 2025 | Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick excused (2). |
| Apr 30, 2025 | Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none. |
| Apr 25, 2025 | 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25 |
| Apr 25, 2025 | Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 241). |
| Apr 25, 2025 | Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 04-30-25. |
| Apr 25, 2025 | Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 241) as amended in (CD 1). |
| Apr 25, 2025 | The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) La Chica, Takenouchi, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Apr 25, 2025 | 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) Kidani, Kim, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCorte. |
| Apr 25, 2025 | Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 4:40PM in conference room 229. |
| Apr 25, 2025 | Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 2:50PM in conference room 229. |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 1:30PM in conference room 229. |
| Apr 23, 2025 | Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 873). |
| Apr 23, 2025 | Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Thursday, 04-24-25 3:05PM in conference room 229. |
| Apr 23, 2025 | Senate Conferees Appointed: Kidani Chair; Kim Co-Chair; Kanuha, DeCorte. |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 732). |
| Apr 14, 2025 | House Conferees Appointed: La Chica, Takenouchi Co-Chairs; Souza. |
| Apr 11, 2025 | Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 704). |
| Apr 10, 2025 | House disagrees with Senate amendment (s). |
| Apr 8, 2025 | Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 696) in amended form (SD 1). |
| Apr 8, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. |
| Apr 4, 2025 | One Day Notice 04-08-25. |
| Apr 4, 2025 | Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1777) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading. |
| Apr 2, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Mar 27, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-02-25 10:01AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 19, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Mar 19, 2025 | Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1161) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Mar 12, 2025 | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kidani, Kim, Hashimoto, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Mar 7, 2025 | The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 03-12-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Referred to EDU, WAM. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | Passed First Reading. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 43). |
| Feb 27, 2025 | Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick, Templo, Ward excused (4). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Feb 27, 2025 | Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 856), recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Feb 20, 2025 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 14 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Alcos, Ward. |
| Feb 18, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Thursday, 02-20-25 10:00AM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 12, 2025 | 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 Representative(s) Cochran, Sayama, Ward excused (3). |
| Feb 12, 2025 | Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 462) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. |
| Feb 6, 2025 | The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 11 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Garrett, Kapela, Kila, Olds, Sayama, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none. |
| Feb 3, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by EDN on Thursday, 02-06-25 2:00PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Jan 23, 2025 | Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 3 |
| Jan 23, 2025 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| Jan 21, 2025 | 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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| Apr 30, 2025 | Final Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 30, 2025 | Final Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 8, 2025 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 2, 2025 | 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 12, 2025 | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
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| Feb 27, 2025 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Feb 20, 2025 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Finance |
Passed |
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| Feb 6, 2025 | 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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| Bess Press | ** Support | |
| Department of Education | *** Support | Mar 13, 2025 |
| Hawai'i Association of School Librarians | *** Support | Feb 6, 2025 |
| Hawai'i Library Association | *** Support | Feb 6, 2025 |
| Hawaiʻi Association of School Librarians | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Library Association | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Association of School Librarians | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Association of School Librarians | *** Support | Mar 13, 2025 |
| Hawaiʻi Library Association | *** Support | Apr 2, 2025 |
| Hawaiʻi State Public Library System | *** Support | Apr 2, 2025 |
| Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association | ** Support | |
| University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library & Information Science Program | *** Support | Mar 13, 2025 |
| Waiahole Elementary School (students collaborated) | *** Support | Mar 13, 2025 |
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 241
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 961
H.D. 1
S.D. 1
C.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madam and Sir:
Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the House of Representatives to the amendments proposed by the Senate in H.B. No. 961, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"
having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Establish a two-year pilot program for certified librarians to provide rotating support services to schools in one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island, to be determined by the Department of Education; and
(2) Appropriate funds for the positions.
Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:
(1) Inserting an appropriation amount of $132,308 for the establishment of two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) twelve-month state office-level teacher positions under the Department of Education for the pilot program, to be allocated as follows:
(A) $66,154 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) twelve-month state office-level teacher position, to be filled by a certified librarian, for a school complex on Oahu; and
(B) $66,154 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) twelve-month state office-level teacher position, to be filled by a certified librarian, for a school complex on a neighbor island;
(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2025; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 961, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 961, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, C.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:
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ON THE PART OF THE SENATE |
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ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE |
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____________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI Chair |
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____________________________ TRISH LA CHICA Co-Chair |
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____________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM Co-Chair |
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____________________________ JENNA TAKENOUCHI Co-Chair |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1777
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: H.B. No. 961
H.D. 1
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 961, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish, and appropriate moneys for, a two-year pilot program for certified librarians to provide rotating support services to schools in one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island, to be determined by the Department of Education.
Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Public Library System, Hawaii Library Association, and numerous individuals.
Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Education.
Your Committee finds that there is a severe shortage of certified librarians in public schools throughout the State, impacting student learning. Your Committee further finds that librarians rotating between schools in a school complex area may help to ensure students continue receiving support services.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 961, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,
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________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1161
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: H.B. No. 961
H.D. 1
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 961, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to:
(1) Establish a two-year Librarian Pilot Program to serve one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on an island other than Oahu; and
(2) Appropriate funds.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, Bess Press, Hawaiʻi Library Association, Hawaiʻi Association of School Librarians, and twenty-four individuals.
Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.
Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.
Your Committee finds that school librarians are an invaluable resource for educational communities, serving students, faculty, and staff with a safe place to develop literacy skills, achieve reading fluency, and conduct research. Presently, only thirty percent of public schools statewide have a full-time or part-time librarian position to support educational programs in the 2024-2025 school year. As most schools do not have a librarian to support educational programs, establishing a pilot program providing rotating support will allow more students to learn about the library and the services provided. Therefore, this measure offers crucial support to schools without a librarian while maintaining existing library operations to help students achieve their academic goals.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
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. 961, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 961, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,
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________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 856
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 961
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. 961, 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) Establish a two-year pilot program for certified librarians to provide rotating support services to schools in one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island; and
(2) Appropriate funds for the positions.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System; Hawaiʻi Library Association; Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and one individual.
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. 961, 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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____________________________ KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 462
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 961
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. 961 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Establish a two-year pilot program for two certified librarians to provide rotating support services to schools in one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on a neighbor island; and
(2) Appropriate funds for the certified librarian positions.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; Hawaiʻi Library Association; Hawaiʻi Association of School Librarians; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Department of Education.
Your Committee finds that out of the two hundred fifty-eight public elementary, middle, intermediate, and high schools throughout Hawaii, only seventy-five have a full-time or part-time librarian position filled to support student learning in 2025. Your Committee further finds that establishing a pilot program to provide rotating support services provided by a certified librarian between schools will help bolster library services in the State.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the amount appropriated and the number of positions to be funded to unspecified amounts;
(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and
(3) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment 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 $132,308, to be allocated as follows:
(1) $66,154 for one twelve-month state office-level teacher position, to be filled by a certified librarian, for a school complex on Oahu; and
(2) $66,154 for one twelve-month state office-level teacher position, to be filled by a certified librarian, for a school complex on an island other than Oahu.
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. 961, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 961, 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 2, 2025 | HB961_SD1_TESTIMONY_WAM_04-02-25_.PDF |
| Mar 13, 2025 | HB961_HD1_TESTIMONY_EDU_03-12-25_.PDF |
| Feb 20, 2025 | HB961_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_02-20-25_.PDF |
| Feb 6, 2025 | HB961_TESTIMONY_EDN_02-06-25_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
1MIN
Conference Committee
32SEC
Conference Committee
2MIN
Conference Committee
44SEC
Conference Committee
8MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Education
8MIN
House Standing Committee on Finance
3MIN
House Standing Committee on Education
Bill Author
