SB2802 • 2026

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Budget

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: DELA CRUZ, CHANG, ELEFANTE, HASHIMOTO, KANUHA, KIDANI, LAMOSAO, LEE, C., Wakai
Last action: 2026-05-08
Official status: Enrolled to Governor.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

What This Bill Does

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
UH; Agricultural Sciences; Bachelor's Program; Appropriation ($) Appropriates funds to establish a bachelor's degree program in agricultural science at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu; to fund one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position; and for supplies and equipment to support the programs.
(CD1)

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

CD1

Hawaii published version CD1

Plain English: SB2802 CD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2802 CD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2802 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: SB2802 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2802 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2802 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: SB2802 SD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2802 SD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2802 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII .

Bill History

2026-05-08 S
Enrolled to Governor.
2026-05-08 S
Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
2026-05-06 H
Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
2026-05-06 H
Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0).
2026-05-06 S
Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
2026-05-01 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
2026-05-01 H
Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 175-26) as amended in (CD 1).
2026-05-01 S
48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
2026-05-01 S
Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 175-26).
2026-05-01 S
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) Kim, Kidani, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-05-01 H
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Garrett, Hussey, Amato, Kapela; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Muraoka.
2026-05-01 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 05-01-26 at 5:50PM in Conference Room 229.
2026-05-01 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 05-01-26 at 5:15PM in Conference Room 229.
2026-04-30 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 3:10PM in conference room 229.
2026-04-28 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 3:00PM in conference room 229.
2026-04-24 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-28-26 3:00PM in conference room 229.
2026-04-23 H
Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Friday, 04-24-26 2:40PM in conference room 229.
2026-04-21 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 718).
2026-04-21 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Kim Chair; Kidani Co-Chair; DeCorte.
2026-04-21 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 800).
2026-04-21 H
House Conferees Appointed: Garrett, Hussey Co-Chairs; Amato, Kapela, Muraoka.
2026-04-16 H
Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).
2026-04-16 S
Senate disagrees with House amendments.
2026-04-16 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 701).
2026-04-14 H
Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
2026-04-10 H
Deferred one day 04-14-26.
2026-04-10 H
Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2082-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
2026-04-07 H
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-02 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 04-07-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-19 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0).
2026-03-19 H
Reported from HED (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1215-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
2026-03-16 H
The committee on HED recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Garrett, Amato, Evslin, Kila, La Chica, Olds, Woodson, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Kapela.
2026-03-12 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by HED on Monday, 03-16-26 2:00PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-12 H
This measure has been deleted from the meeting scheduled on Friday 03-13-26 2:00PM in conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-10 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by HED on Friday, 03-13-26 2:00PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-10 H
Referred to HED, FIN, referral sheet 16
2026-03-10 H
Pass First Reading
2026-03-06 H
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 81) in amended form (SD 1).
2026-03-06 S
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.
2026-03-05 S
One Day Notice 03-06-26.
2026-03-05 S
Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2765) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
2026-03-02 S
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, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-02-25 S
The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 03-02-26 10:01AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-02-23 S
The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-25-26 10:55AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-02-20 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
2026-02-20 S
Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2584) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
2026-02-18 S
The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Fukunaga.
2026-02-13 S
The committee(s) on EDU has rescheduled its public hearing to 02-18-26 1:02PM; CR 229 & Videoconference.
2026-02-08 S
The committee(s) on EDU deleted the measure from the public hearing scheduled on 02-09-26 1:05PM; CR 229 & Videoconference.
2026-02-06 S
The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 02-09-26 1:05PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
2026-01-30 S
Referred to EDU, WAM.
2026-01-26 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-01-23 S
Introduced.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
UH; Agricultural Sciences; Bachelor's Program; Appropriation ($)
Appropriates funds to establish a bachelor's degree program in agricultural science at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu; to fund one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position; and for supplies and equipment to support the programs. (CD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB2802

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2802

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:

����
SECTION 1.
�
The
legislature finds that Hawaii faces a growing shortage in the education sector,
with the current demand for educators exceeding the supply.
�
The legislature recommends expanding the
capacity of education programs to help reduce the educator workforce shortage.

����
The legislature further finds that the
State is particularly bearing the brunt of the educator shortage.
�
Leeward community college currently offers an
associate in science degree in teaching and six certificates of competence for
various levels of education (Certificate of Competence, Alternative
Certification in Teaching (Track I); Certificate of Competence, Alternative
Certification in Teaching (Track II); Certificate of Competence, Culturally
Responsive Teaching; Certificate of Competence, Special/Inclusive Education;
Certificate of Competence, Special Education II; and Advanced Professional
Certificate in Special Education, PK-12).
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Students who earn an associate in science degree in education must
transfer to a bachelor's degree program in education at a university to further
and complete their education.

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The legislature believes that offering a
bachelor of science degree in education at Leeward community college will help
increase the supply of educator graduates, reduce the educator workforce
shortage, and allow students enrolled at the college to complete their entire
course of study.

����
The legislature also finds that the
diversification and sustainability of agriculture is vital to the State's
future.
�
A steady supply of workers having
the appropriate knowledge to support these goals is essential.
�
The legislature believes that offering a
bachelor of arts degree in agricultural science at Leeward community college
will help grow the expertise needed to foster sustainable and diversified
agriculture in the State.

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The legislature declares that the
establishment of a bachelor of science degree program in education and a
bachelor of arts degree program in agricultural science at Leeward community college
is a matter of statewide concern pursuant to article X, section 6, of the
Hawaii State Constitution.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
appropriate moneys for the establishment of a bachelor of science degree
program in education and a bachelor of arts degree program in agricultural
science at Leeward community college.

����
SECTION 2.
�

There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $750,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2026-2027 for:

����
(1)
�
The
establishment of a bachelor of science degree program in education at Leeward
community college;

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(2)
�
The
establishment of a bachelor of arts degree program in agricultural science at
Leeward community college;

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(3)
�
Two
full-time equivalent (2.00 FTE) positions to administer and support the
programs; and

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(4)
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Related
supplies and equipment.

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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION 3.
�

This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

University
of Hawaii; Leeward Community College; Education; Agricultural Sciences; Bachelor's
Program; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates
moneys to establish bachelor's degree programs in education and in agricultural
science at Leeward Community College and to fund 2 FTE positions and supplies
to support the programs.

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