STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1140-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1559

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1559, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a uniform statewide policy restricting student use of telecommunications devices during the instruction day in public schools, with certain exceptions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Education; Department of Education; and Hawaii Department of Education Principals Advisory Council.

Your Committee finds that excessive and unregulated use of telecommunication devices during the school day has significantly disrupted classroom instruction, reduced student engagement, and contributed to declines in attention and academic performance. Your Committee further finds that inconsistent telecommunication device policies across campuses have created operational challenges and that national trends demonstrate the benefits of restricting devices and the need for clear, uniform expectations for students. Your Committee believes that establishing statewide baseline rules for permissible use while allowing necessary exceptions for education, safety, disability accommodations, and medical needs will strengthen learning environments and support the healthy development and well-being of Hawaii's students.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that a student who violates the telecommunications restrictions policy more than once within the same school year shall be subject to confiscation of the telecommunication device and additional disciplinary action;

(2) Expanding the steps taken to secure a student's confiscated telecommunications device until the device is retrieved by the student's parent or legal guardian; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1559, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1559, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair