STAND. COM. REP. NO. 479-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1893

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 1893, 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:

(1) Clarify that public charter school teachers are eligible for incentives under the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program; and

(2) Increase the annual bonus for teachers who maintain national board certification from $5,000 to $10,000.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Hawaiʻi Teachers Standards Board; Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of Collective Bargaining.

Your Committee finds that national board-certified teachers contribute significantly to improved instructional quality and student achievement, yet existing incentives have not adequately reflected the rigor and cost of achieving and maintaining certification. Your Committee further finds that excluding public charter school teachers from eligibility has limited the State's ability to build a consistent pipeline of highly effective educators across all public education settings. This measure strengthens teacher retention and supports high‑quality instruction statewide.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1893, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor,

____________________________

JACKSON D. SAYAMA, Chair