STAND. COM. REP. NO. 487-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2127

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 Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2127 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CIVIC EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a Civic Education Grant Program and Civic Education Trust Fund and dedicating their use exclusively to support civic education in Hawaii's public middle and intermediate schools through Department of Education approved programming.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; Commission to Promote and Advance Civic Education; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus; American Judicature Society; University of Hawaii Professional Assembly; Hoaloha Project; American Association of University Women of Hawaiʻi; Green Party of Hawaiʻi; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that civic education prepares students to participate in the public and political lives of their communities and helps them develop critical thinking skills that are vital to the functioning of a democratic nation. Your Committee further finds that the establishment of a Hawaii Civic Education Grant Program and Hawaii Civic Education Trust Fund will increase access to civic education in Hawaii's public school systems and increase voter turnout and citizen engagement over the long term.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing references to the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Support Services to the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; 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 Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2127, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2127, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair