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HB2534
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
2534
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to robotics
.
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 education in robotics
provides hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning
that increases critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills among
students.
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Since the first robotics
program was established at Waialua High School in 1999, the State has embraced robotics
technology as both an educational and a competitive platform.
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Between 2008 and 2012, the legislature
supported robotics programs through measures such as Act 111, Session Laws of
Hawaii 2007, and other measures investing in Hawaii's emerging science and
technology fields by funding scholarships for the State's first "For
Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology" (FIRST) regional
competition.
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Through
FIRST and VEX Robotics, two major robotics programs for students in grades pre-kindergarten
through twelve, Hawaii's robotics teams engage more than two thousand five
hundred students from numerous schools across the State.
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Today, these robotics teams achieve national
and international success and contribute to the community by leading local science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics education initiatives.
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The
legislature further finds that since 2009, the State has lost numerous high
school robotics teams due to insufficient resources and a lack of mentors.
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Unlike most extracurricular activities,
robotics is conducted year-round, with each team having several mentors.
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The cost of hosting a competition can exceed
hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
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Likewise,
recent federal funding cuts have impacted several Hawaii robotics teams.
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These funding cuts force robotics teams to
rely on competitive grants, which are not guaranteed.
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The lack of consistent funding has threatened
robotics programs at Maui high school, James Campbell high school, and several
others.
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Furthermore,
the legislature recognizes that participation in robotics encourages students
to join the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workforce.
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A majority of high school robotics alumni are
employed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
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However, the legislature finds that the State
lacks a long-term science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workforce.
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According to data from the department of
business, economic development, and tourism, a higher percentage of Hawaii-born
students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics occupations live
in the continental United States than in the State.
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By supporting robotics programs, the State can
stimulate economic growth and ensure Hawaii's youth have access to stable
career paths.
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In
addition, the legislature finds that, to sustain robotics programs and science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics education, states such as Texas and
Connecticut recognize robotics as a sanctioned sport.
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According to the Oxford dictionary, a sport is
"an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual
or team competes against another or others for entertainment."
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Robotics requires intense teamwork, physical
endurance, and strategic thinking, and attracts crowds to competitions.
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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to ensure high‑quality science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics education and to strengthen the State's technology
workforce by appropriating moneys to establish robotics as an interscholastic
sport.
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SECTION
2.
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In establishing robotics as an
interscholastic sport, the department of education shall minimize any
documentation required for teams to participate.
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SECTION 3.
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There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
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or so much thereof as may be
necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish robotics as an interscholastic
sport.
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The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes
of this Act.
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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DOE;
Robotics; Interscholastic Sport; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates
moneys to the Department of Education to establish robotics as an
interscholastic sport.
The summary description
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.