RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

HB2518

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2518

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the university of hawaii
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that the university of
Hawaii operates a geographically dispersed system of campuses that serve
diverse student populations across the State, including recent high school
graduates, adult learners, workforce trainees, graduate and professional
students, and students from neighbor islands and rural communities.

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The legislature further finds that
Hawaii is experiencing significant demographic change, including declining
numbers of traditional college-age students, increasing numbers of adult and
returning learners, and evolving workforce demands in critical fields such as
health care, education, energy, and technology.
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These trends are reshaping enrollment patterns across the university of
Hawaii system and placing new and uneven demands on instructional space,
laboratories, clinical training facilities, research infrastructure, and
student housing.

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The legislature additionally finds
that the cost, availability, and configuration of student housing directly
affect access to higher education, student retention and completion, and the
university's ability to train a workforce that meets the State's needs.
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At the same time, long-term facilities and
housing planning must account for fiscal constraints, land use considerations,
capital improvement timelines, and opportunities for innovative financing and
partnerships.

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The legislature recognizes that
while the university of Hawaii has engaged in campus-level planning efforts,
there is value in a coordinated, systemwide approach that aligns facilities and
student housing planning with enrollment projections, workforce priorities, and
capital planning processes, particularly during a period of demographic and
economic transition.
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As such, this is a
matter of statewide concern.
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The purpose of this Act is to
require the university of Hawaii to develop and maintain a comprehensive,
systemwide facilities and student housing master plan to support the
university's academic, research, and workforce development missions while also
being responsive to changes to demographic, enrollment, and labor market trends.

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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to
read as follows:

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�304A-
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Facilities
and student housing master plan.
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(a)
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Beginning
, the university
shall develop and maintain a statewide facilities and student housing master
plan that supports the academic, research, and workforce development missions
of the university and reflects changing demographic, enrollment, and labor
market trends.

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(b)
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The master plan shall, at a minimum, include:

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(1)
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Enrollment and
demographic analysis, including:

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(A)
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Systemwide
and campus-level enrollment trends and projections;

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(B)
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Shifts
in student composition, including increases or decreases in adult learners,
part-time students, graduate and professional students, and workforce-focused
learners; and

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(C)
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Implications
of these trends for instructional space, training facilities, and housing
demand;

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(2)
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Facilities
assessment, including:

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(A)
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An
inventory of existing instructional, laboratory, clinical, research, and
support facilities across the university system;

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(B)
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Identification
of facilities constraints or gaps that may affect academic programs, workforce
training, or research activities; and

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(C)
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Consideration
of the condition, utilization, and adaptability of existing facilities;

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(3)
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Student housing
needs analysis, including:

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(A)
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Current
and projected housing demand by campus and student population, including
first-year students, neighbor island students, graduate and professional
students, and short-term or workforce program participants;

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(B)
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Evaluation
of different housing typologies, including traditional residence halls,
graduate or family housing, short-term or modular housing, and other flexible
housing models; and

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(C)
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Assessment
of how housing availability and affordability affect student access, retention,
and completion;

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(4)
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Alignment with
workforce and academic priorities, including:

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(A)
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Identification
of facilities and housing considerations related to high-priority workforce
areas, including health care, education, and other in-demand fields;

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(B)
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Consideration
of how facilities and housing planning supports partnerships with hospitals,
clinics, employers, and community organizations; and

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(C)
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Integration
with short-term workforce education and training programs offered by the university;

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(5)
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Capital
planning and financing considerations, including:

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(A)
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Identification
of potential capital improvement priorities related to facilities and student
housing;

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(B)
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Discussion
of phasing, sequencing, and timing considerations;

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(C)
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Overview
of potential financing approaches, including public-private partnerships, lease
arrangements, or other innovative models, as appropriate; and

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(D)
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Alignment
with the university's existing capital improvement planning processes.

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(c)
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The university shall update the master plan
no less frequently than once every five years to reflect updated data,
projections, and institutional priorities.
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The university may update the master plan on a more frequent basis if
the university deems an update is appropriate.

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(d)
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The university shall submit the master plan,
and any updates thereto, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to
the convening of the regular session following completion of the master plan or
any update to the master plan.

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(e)
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Nothing in this section shall be construed
to:

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(1)
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Require the
construction of any specific facility or housing project;

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(2)
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Mandate the
expansion or reduction of student housing at any university campus;

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(3)
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Limit the
authority of the university to manage its facilities, housing, or capital
planning decisions; or

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(4)
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Create any
entitlement to funding or capital appropriations.
"

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SECTION
3.
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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:

University
of Hawaii System; Facilities and Student Housing; Master Plan

Description:

Requires
the University of Hawaii to develop a facilities and student housing master
plan.
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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.