STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3679

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1890

H.D. 3

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1890, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide salary increases to certain teachers employed at public schools and public charter schools, following licensing, certification, and the satisfaction of other requirements, and after three years of serving in a maximum increment step or longevity step.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the State Public Charter School Commission, Teach for America Hawaii, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Office of Collective Bargaining.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that the automatic salary step increases authorized by this measure will provide educators with a predictable and transparent path for salary growth, which will help the State recruit and retain teachers.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that the teachers shall be entitled to, rather than eligible for, the salary step increases; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1890, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1890, H.D. 3, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair