RELATING TO EDUCATION FUNDING.

HB2029

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2029

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to EDUCATION funding
.

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

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SECTION 1.
�
The legislature finds
that every child in Hawaii deserves access to an education that is resourced at
the highest possible standard.
�

Currently, a significant disparity exists between the per-pupil funding
provided to public school students through the weighted student formula and the
resources available to students at leading independent schools in the State,
such as
ʻ
Iolani School and Punahou School.

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The
legislature further finds that to achieve true educational equity, the State
must strive to bridge the resource gap between public and private
institutions.
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Accordingly, the purpose
of this Act is to require the committee on weights to develop recommendations
for a weighted student formula that provides public school students with
resource parity, including lower student-to-teacher ratios and expanded
specialized programming, equivalent to the State's top-tier independent
schools.

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SECTION
2
.
�
Section
302A-1303.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

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"
�302A-1303.6
�
Weighted student
formula.
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(a)
�
Based upon
recommendations from the committee on weights, the board of education [
may
]

shall
adopt
no less than annually
a weighted student formula for
the allocation of [
moneys
]
operating funds
to public schools that
takes into account the [
educational
]
relative differences and

needs of [
each student; provided that weighted student formula moneys shall
not be used for state-funded prekindergarten programs, except for special
education and Title I-funded prekindergarten programs.
�
The department, upon the receipt of
appropriated moneys, shall use the weighted student formula to allocate funds
to public schools.
�
Principals shall
expend moneys provided to the principals' schools.
�
This section shall only apply to charter
schools for fiscal years in which the charter schools elect pursuant to section
302D-29 to receive allocations according to the procedures and methodology used
to calculate the weighted student formula allocation.
]
individual
schools.

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(b)
�
In formulating its recommendations to the
board, the committee on weights shall incorporate a resource parity standard,
which shall include but not be limited to:

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(1)
�
Reducing
student-teacher ratios to levels comparable to leading independent schools in
the State;

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(2)
�
Ensuring
funding for specialized instructors and staff across a comprehensive range of
academic, vocational, and enrichment programs to support well-rounded education;
and

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(3)
�
Calculating a
base per-pupil allocation that reflects the actual cost of providing a
world-class education as demonstrated by the State's premier non-profit
independent educational institutions.

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(c)
�
The department shall submit a report to the
legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular
session on the progress made toward achieving resource parity between the
public school system and the State's independent schools.
"

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SECTION
3.
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Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Board of
Education; Committee on Weights; Weighted Student Formula; Resource Parity;
Reports

Description:

Requires
the Committee on Weights to develop recommendations for a weighted student
formula that achieves resource parity between public schools and independent
schools of the State.
�
Requires reports
to the Legislature.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.