HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2158
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 the university of Hawaii system is experiencing sustained enrollment declines, demographic shifts, workforce shortages, and increasing fiscal pressures and this is a matter of statewide concern that requires careful stewardship of public higher education resources.

The legislature further finds that informed institutional planning and right-sizing require transparent, consistent, and comparable data on academic programs, including student demand, completion, cost, and post-graduation outcomes. While the university of Hawaii conducts internal program reviews, the availability and consistency of program-level data across campuses varies and is not readily accessible to students, policymakers, or the public.

The purpose of this Act is to improve transparency and data availability to support evidence-based institutional planning, program review, and right-sizing of the university of Hawaii system, while respecting the constitutional authority of the board of regents over internal structure, management, and operation of the university.

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

"§304A-    Program level transparency; requirements; dashboard. (a) The university of Hawaii shall annually collect, maintain, and publish standardized program-level data for each academic program offered systemwide, including but not limited to the following categories:

(1) Student demand and production, including:

(A) Number of declared majors or participants;

(B) Enrollment headcount and student credit hours; and

(C) Number of degrees or certificates awarded, reported as five-year trend data;

(2) Student success, including:

(A) Retention within the program;

(B) Completion rates; and

(C) Median time to degree award or completion;

(3) Cost and capacity, including:

(A) Instructional cost per student credit hour;

(B) Instructional cost per degree or certificate awarded;

(C) Faculty full-time equivalent assigned to the program; and

(D) Average class size and course section fill rates; and

(4) Post-completion outcomes, including where available:

(A) Employment status and median earnings;

(B) Enrollment in further education;

(C) Licensure or certification pass rates, if applicable; and

(D) Transfer outcomes for community college programs.

(b) All data shall be reported in a manner that protects student privacy and complies with applicable state and federal law.

(c) The university of Hawaii shall maintain a publicly accessible, systemwide online dashboard that presents the program-level data required under subsection (a). The online dashboard shall:

(1) Allow users to search and compare programs by campus, degree level, and field of study;

(2) Include historical trend data where available; and

(3) Provide downloadable datasets for public use.

(d) The university of Hawaii shall incorporate the program-level data published pursuant to subsection (a) into the board of regents existing academic program review, planning, and prioritization processes.

(e) Beginning December 31, 2026, the university of Hawaii shall submit an annual report to the legislature regarding:

(1) Systemwide trends in enrollment, degree completion, cost, and outcomes;

(2) The number of academic programs undergoing program review;

(3) General categories of actions taken or planned as a result of program review; and

(4) How data informed institutional decision-making, including but not limited to decisions to continue, redesign, consolidate, suspend, or terminate academic programs.

The report shall focus on systemwide planning and transparency and shall not identify individual students or personnel."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

UH; Program Level Transparency; Report

Description:

Requires the UH system to collect, maintain, and publish standardized program-level data for each academic program offered. Requires maintenance of an online dashboard with program-level data. Requires an annual report.

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