Legislative News
Thank you to all HE'E Voting Members who voted on last round of positions. All HE'E positions were supported.
There is another bill that HE'E will consider supporting and will ask voting members for a vote shortly. We will add these bills to our watch list.
SB258/HB759: Description: Requires DOE and DAGS, in consultation with the State Energy Office of DBEDT and Hawaii Natural Energy Institute of UH, to develop a cooling master strategy and comprehensive retrofitting study for public schools and to report findings to the Legislature. Authorizes general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for efficient classroom-cooling demonstration projects.
HE'E Proposed Position: Support
Support Rationale
- HE'E supported similar bill last year
- Coalition believes that students are not able to learn in environments that are not conducive to learning.
Other News
You are invited to a free screening of the inspirational documentary 'Ike: Knowledge is Everywhere produced by local filmmaker Matt Nagato (Thursday, February 26th from 5:30 p.m.). Throughout its personal and emotional segments, 'Ike is a celebratory film about the power of compassion, collaboration and community to help improve Hawaii's educational system.
'Ike: Knowledge is Everywhere
Date: Thursday, February 26th
Time: 5:30 PM
Place: YWCA at Richards Street-Fuller Hall
Free Admission-Please invite interested individuals.
Sponsor: Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation
Click on the link below to reserve your seat
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ike-knowledge-is-everywhere-feb-26th-tickets-15676054501
HE'E TRACKING OF LEGISLATIVE BILLS AS OF FEBRUARY 15, 2015
Any bill status can be looked up on http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/
To submit testimony, please see instructions on Capitol webpage here.
We encourage members to attend and participate at hearings. If you have questions about the process, please contact cheri@heecoalition.org
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Hearing Date
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Bill
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Description
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Remarks
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2/18/15
Conference Room 229 1:25pm | SB258
Status and Testimony | RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Description: Requires the department of education and department of accounting and general services, in consultation with the Hawaii state energy office of the department of business, economic development, and tourism and the Hawaii natural energy institute of the University of Hawaii, to conduct a comprehensive study and develop a master strategy for the cooling of all public schools. Requires the findings to be reported to the legislature. Appropriates funds for the comprehensive study of cooling needs and development of a master strategy for cooling all public schools. Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for projects that demonstrate efficient methods of air conditioning classrooms.
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| 2/12/2015 | S | The committee(s) on EDU/ENE has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-15 1:25PM in conference room 229. |
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2/18/15
Conference Room 309 2:00pm
| HB759
Status and Testimony | RELATING TO COOLING SYSTEMS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES.
Description: Requires DOE and DAGS, in consultation with the State Energy Office of DBEDT and Hawaii Natural Energy Institute of UH, to develop a cooling master strategy and comprehensive retrofitting study for public schools and to report findings to the Legislature. Authorizes general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for efficient classroom-cooling demonstration projects. (HB759 HD1)
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| 2/12/2015 | H | Bill scheduled to be heard by EDN on Wednesday, 02-18-15 2:00PM in House conference room 309. |
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| SB822
Status and Testimony
HE'E Position
Support
HE'E Testimony |
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
Description: Applies the requirement for all public secondary schools to implement a school year that includes 990 student instructional hours to all school years beginning with the 2015-2016 school year. Repeals the requirement that by the 2016-2018 school years, all public schools implement a school year of 180 days and 1,080 student instructional hours for both elementary and secondary school grades. Clarifies that the definition of "student instructional hours" shall be determined by the board of education in consultation with the exclusive representatives of the appropriate bargaining units.
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| 2/13/2015 | S | The committee(s) on EDU and JDL recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. |
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HB14
HE'E Position: Support
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RELATING TO EDUCATION.
Description: Applies the requirement for all public secondary schools to implement a school year that includes 990 student instructional hours to all school years beginning with the 2015-2016 school year. Repeals the requirement that by the 2016-2018 school years, all public schools implement a school year of 180 days and 1,080 student instructional hours for both elementary and secondary school grades. Clarifies that the definition of "student instructional hours" shall be determined by the board of education in consultation with the exclusive representatives of the appropriate bargaining units.
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| 2/11/2015 | H | The committees on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. |
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| SB1039
Status and Testimony
HE'E Position: Oppose
HE'E Testimony
| RELATING TO STUDENT INSTRUCTIONAL TIME.
Description: Repeals student instructional hour requirements.
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| 2/13/2015 | S | The committee on EDU and JDL deferred the measure. |
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| SB843
Status and Testimony
HE'E Position: Support
HE'E Testimony
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RELATING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
Description: Amends or repeals provisions of Chapters 302A and 302L, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as related to early childhood education, for housekeeping and other purposes.
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| 2/13/2015 | S | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. |
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| SB844
Status and Testimony
HE'E Position: Support
| RELATING TO PUBLIC EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
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| 2/13/2015 | S | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. |
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HB821
HE'E Position: Support
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RELATING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
Description: Amends or repeals provisions of Chapters 302A and 302L, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as related to early childhood education, for housekeeping and other purposes.
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| 2/12/2015 | H | Passed Second Reading and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and C. Lee excused (1). |
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HB820
HE'E Position: Support
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RELATING TO PUBLIC EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
Description: Establishes the Executive Office on Early Learning Prekindergarten Program to be administered by the Executive Office on Early Learning and provided through Department of Education public schools and public charter schools.
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| 2/4/2015 | H | The committees on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. |
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| SB847
Status and Testimony
HE'E Position: Support
HE'E Testimony |
RELATING TO TEACHERS.
Description: Authorizes an additional per year bonus for teachers who maintain current national board certification and teach at a school in a focus, priority, or superintendent's zone under the National Board Certification Incentive Program.
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| 2/9/2015 | S | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. |
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HB11
HE'E Position: Support
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RELATING TO TEACHERS.
Description: Authorizes an additional per year bonus for teachers who maintain current national board certification and teach at a school in a focus, priority, or superintendent's zone under the National Board Certification Incentive Program.
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| 2/4/2015 | H | The committees on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. |
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| SB374
Status and Testimony
HE'E Position: Support
HE'E Testimony |
RELATING TO DUAL CREDIT PROGRAMS.
Description: Replaces the running start program and jump start program with dual credit program; amends definition of "eligible student" to include all high school students; replaces standardized test to determine college readiness with an assessment approved by the college. Appropriates moneys.
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| 2/13/2015 | S | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. |
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HB95
HE'E Position: Support
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RELATING TO DUAL CREDIT PROGRAMS.
Description: Replaces the running start program and jump start program with dual credit program; amends definition of "eligible student" to include all high school students; replaces standardized test to determine college readiness with an assessment approved by the college. Appropriates moneys.
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| 2/12/2015 | H | Passed Second Reading and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and C. Lee excused (1). |
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SB858
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RELATING TO AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
Report Title: Afterschool Programs; Elementary-School Students; Appropriation ($)
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| 2/12/2015 | S | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM. |
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SB866
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Appropriates moneys for the After-School Plus (A+) Program.
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| 2/11/2015 | S | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. |
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SB126
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RELATING TO EDUCATION
Reconstitutes the board of education to consist of eleven rather than nine members, one each from the seven department of education districts (Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Honolulu, Central, Leeward, and Windward), and four at-large members. Requires that at least two at-large members have business management experience and at least two members have public education experience; provided that one member have experience as a school principal. Allows the board members, rather than the governor to choose a chairperson. Increases the number of nonvoting public high school representatives to the board from one to two students. Increases the term of office for members of the board of education from three to four years, makes terms run concurrently with the term of the appointing governor, and eliminates term limits. Terminates the membership of the current board on June 30, 2015. Effective 6/30/15.
Companion:
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| 2/12/2015 | S | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
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SB850
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RELATING TO FACILITIES FUNDING FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS.Appropriates funds for the state public charter school commission to allocate to charter schools for facilities projects. Requires annual reporting to the legislature.
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| 2/12/2015 | S | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM. |
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| HB232
Status and Testimony | RELATING TO FACILITIES FUNDING FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS.Appropriates funds for the state public charter school commission to allocate to charter schools for facilities projects. Requires annual reporting to the legislature.
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| 2/9/2015 | H | The committees on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. |
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