SB3238 • 2026

RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.

Agriculture Budget Education Healthcare Labor

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: LAMOSAO, ELEFANTE, FUKUNAGA, LEE, C., San Buenaventura, Wakai
Last action: 2026-05-08
Official status: Enrolled to Governor.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details about internship opportunities or exact funding amounts, only that it is 'or so much thereof as may be necessary'.

Language Access Education Program

This bill establishes a Language Access Education and Workforce Development Program at the University of Hawaii to train translators and interpreters, with funding for positions.

What This Bill Does

Establishes a program within the University of Hawaii called the Language Access Education and Workforce Development Program.
Provides training in translation and interpretation skills, including ethics and best practices.
Offers specialized instruction in public service settings like education, healthcare, legal services, agriculture, and government services.
Gives priority to high school graduates with a seal of biliteracy for admission into the program.
Appropriates funds to support three full-time equivalent positions at the University of Hawaii.

Who It Names or Affects

High school graduates who have earned the seal of biliteracy.
Community members with demonstrated biliteracy competency.
The University of Hawaii and its SEED office.
Partners like the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and other relevant public and private entities.

Terms To Know

Seal of Biliteracy: An award given to high school graduates who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one additional language.
FTE (Full-Time Equivalent): A measure used to represent the workload of an employee or group of employees on a full-time basis, even if they are part-time or work variable hours.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how many students will be admitted into the program.
It is unclear what the exact amount of funding appropriated for fiscal year 2026-2027 is, as it says 'or so much thereof as may be necessary'.
There are no details on how the effectiveness or success of the program will be measured.

Amendments

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

CD1

Hawaii published version CD1

Plain English: SB3238 CD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB3238 CD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
3238 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: SB3238 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB3238 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
3238 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: SB3238 SD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB3238 SD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
3238 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS .

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 S
Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
2026-05-06 H
Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
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. 209-26) 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. 209-26).
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, Hashimoto, 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: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Garrett, Miyake, Amato, Kapela, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
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 2:30PM in conference room 229.
2026-04-23 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 811).
2026-04-22 H
House Conferees Appointed: Garrett, Miyake Co-Chairs; Amato, Kapela, Souza.
2026-04-21 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 718).
2026-04-21 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Kim Chair; Hashimoto Co-Chair; DeCorte.
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. 766).
2026-04-14 H
Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.
2026-04-10 H
Deferred one day 04-14-26.
2026-04-10 H
Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2051-26), 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.
2026-03-23 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 Representative(s) Cochran, Kong, Lowen, Perruso, Poepoe, Quinlan excused (6).
2026-03-23 H
Reported from HED (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1318-26) 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. 126) 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. 2757) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
2026-03-03 S
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.
2026-02-25 S
The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-02-23 S
The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-25-26 10:56AM; 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. 2613) 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.
2026-02-02 S
Referred to EDU, WAM.
2026-01-28 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-01-28 S
Introduced.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.
UH; Language Access Education and Workforce Development Program; Positions; Appropriation ($)
Establishes a Language Access Education and Workforce Development Program at the University of Hawaii. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB3238

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3238

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating
to Language Access
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
The legislature finds that language access is
essential to ensuring equitable access to education, healthcare, legal
services, emergency services, agricultural programs, and government programs
for Hawaii's diverse communities.
�
Hawaii's
multilingual population requires a trained and culturally competent workforce
of translators and interpreters.

����
The legislature commends the
department of education for recognizing high school graduates with the seal of
biliteracy.
�
These students, who have
demonstrated proficiency in English and at least one additional language, represent
a valuable pipeline for meeting the State's language access workforce needs.

����
The legislature also finds that
providing a structured pathway, including training and paid internship
opportunities, will help develop qualified bilingual workers who strengthen
workforce development, expand language access services, and create meaningful
career opportunities for the State's residents.

����
The
legislature declares that establishing a biliteracy program within the
university of Hawaii is a matter of statewide concern.

����
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act
is to establish a program that enables eligible high school graduates who have
earned the seal of biliteracy and community members with demonstrated
biliteracy competency to be recognized as qualified translators and
interpreters.

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

����
"
�304A-
�
�
��
Language access education and workforce
development program; established.
�
(a)
�

There is established within the university of Hawaii the language access
education and workforce development program.

����
(b)
�
The language access education and workforce
development program shall be administered by the
university of Hawaii SEED office in collaboration with academic
departments on all campuses, the department of education, department of labor
and industrial relations, and other relevant public and private entities.

����
(c)
�
The language access education and workforce
development program shall provide a curriculum for training eligible
participants to be recognized as qualified translators and interpreters.
�
The curriculum shall include:

����
(1)
�
Training in
translation and interpretation, including ethics, standards, and best
practices;

����
(2)
�
Specialized
instruction and opportunities for interpretation in public service settings,
including settings related to education, healthcare, social services, legal
services, agriculture, and government services; and

����
(3)
�
A certificate
of completion of program requirements for qualified translation and
interpretation proficiency;

provided
that p
articipants shall complete educational requirements, including
internship opportunities through the hele imua program of the department of
labor and industrial relations.

����
(d)
�

Priority for admission to the language access education
and workforce development program shall be given to applicants who have earned
the seal of biliteracy issued by the department of education.
�
All other applicants shall demonstrate as
requirements of admission proficiency in English and at least one additional
language, as determined by program standards or by obtaining the Global Seal of
Biliteracy credential.
"

����
SECTION 3.
�
There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
����������
or so much thereof as may be
necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to carry out the purposes of this Act,
including the establishment of three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions.

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

����
SECTION
4.
�
New statutory material is
underscored.

����
SECTION 5.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

����

_____________________________

Report Title:

UH;
Language Access Education and Workforce Development Program; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
a language access education and workforce development program at the University
of Hawaii
.
�
Appropriates moneys.

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