SB2202

SECTION 1. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to subpart C of part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302-A School bus driver recruitment grant program. (a) There is established within the department a school bus driver recruitment grant program to help increase the State's recruitment and retention of school bus drivers.

(b) The program shall authorize grants to:

(1) Fund the requirements to obtain commercial learner's permits pursuant to section 286-238.2;

(2) Fund the requirements for the issuance of commercial driver's licenses pursuant to section 286-236; and

(3) Provide for additional costs relating to commercial driver's licenses and commercial learner's permits, including but not limited to applications, testing, driver training, and medical fees.

§302-A School bus driver recruitment special fund. (a) There is established the school bus driver recruitment special fund to be administered by the department into which shall be deposited:

(1) Appropriations by the legislature;

(2) State and federal grants;

(3) Any moneys collected pursuant to part XIII of chapter 286, except any fees collected pursuant to section 286-245(g); and

(4) All interest earned or accrued on moneys deposited in the special fund.

(b) Moneys in the special fund shall be expended exclusively for the purposes of administering the school bus driver recruitment grant program."

SECTION 2. (a) There is established a repayment signing bonus program to be administered by the department of education.

(b) The repayment signing bonus program shall authorize and disperse:

(1) A one-time signing bonus of $1,000 to an individual with a commercial driver's license at the time the individual is hired as a school bus driver with the department of education;

(2) $500 at the time that a school bus driver maintains a school bus driver position contracted with the department for six months; and

(3) $1,000 at the time that a school bus driver maintains a school bus driver position contracted with the department for one year.

(c) Any school bus driver who leaves employment voluntarily or is terminated before completing thirty-six months of employment shall repay the full money amount that the school bus driver received from the repayment signing bonus program pursuant to subsection (a)(1).

(d) All moneys collected from the repayment signing bonus program shall be deposited into the general fund.

(e) The department shall adopt rules under chapter 91 to effectuate the purposes of this section.

SECTION 3. (a) The department of education shall establish and administer a three-year prospective school bus driver outreach and pathway program to increase the recruitment of school bus drivers and address the ongoing chronic shortage of school bus drivers in the State.

(b) The department of education shall develop:

(1) Recruitment campaigns;

(2) Informational sessions regarding school bus driver recruitment;

(3) Partnerships with public schools and community organizations within the State; and

(4) Workforce development programs.

SECTION 4. 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 be deposited into the school bus driver recruitment special fund.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the school bus driver recruitment special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to provide grants for the school bus driver recruitment grant program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. 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 provide signing bonuses for the repayment signing bonus program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. 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 for the school bus driver outreach and pathway program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 8. The department of education shall submit quarterly reports to the legislature on its findings, including but not limited to:

(1) The total school bus driver vacancies by county;

(2) The total school bus driver hires and separations;

(3) The number of canceled routes;

(4) The average school bus driver hourly wage;

(5) The amounts expended by the school bus driver recruitment special fund and the school bus driver recruitment grant program; and

(6) An assessment of the school bus driver recruitment grant program.

Each report shall be posted to the department of education's website to be available for public review.

SECTION 9. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 10. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2202
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII