Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB429: Relating to Early Learning.
Status: Failed, April 2, 2026
Appropriates funds to hire teachers and teacher assistants and for equipment and services for public preschools.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to early learning.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the cost of childcare is a significant contributor to the high cost of living in Hawaii. Many working families with young children or those considering having children cannot afford, or must save significantly to afford, a typical monthly childcare expense. The legislature further finds that increasing access to free public preschool education will help working families in the State prepare their children for kindergarten, which would then dramatically improve the child's academic success and ultimate career opportunities. However, preschools across the State are facing staffing shortages, especially for teachers and teacher assistants in preschool classrooms. Additional services and equipment are also needed to provide a rich classroom environment for Hawaii's young children to learn. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds: 2025-2230 HB429 SDl SMA.docx Page H.B. NO. S; S.D. (1) To hire teachers and teacher assistants to staff public preschools; and (2) For the purchase of equipment and services for public preschools. SECTION 2. 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 2025-2026 and $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the executive office …
Sponsors
- Nadine Nakamura (D, 15) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Della Belatti (D, 26)
- Cory Chun (D, 35)
- Elle Cochran (D, 14)
- Luke Evslin (D, 16)
- Andrew Garrett (D, 22)
- Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
- Mark Hashem (D, 19)
- Daniel Holt (D, 28)
- Ikaika Hussey (D, 29)
- Linda Ichiyama (D, 31)
Latest actions
- : Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
- : House Conferee(s) discharged.
- : Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- : Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 732).
- : House Conferees Appointed: Woodson, Morikawa Co-Chairs; Amato, La Chica, Muraoka.
- : Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 451).
- : House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
- : Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 476) in amended form (SD 1).
- : Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 2 (Senator(s) DeCorte, Ihara). Transmitted to House.
- : One Day Notice 04-02-25.
Votes
- Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading (April 2, 2025): 23 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 28, 2025): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
- EDU: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 12, 2025): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick, Templo, Ward excused (4) (February 27, 2025): 47 yea, 0 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (February 20, 2025): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2) (February 11, 2025): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Appropriations, DOE, Early Learning
Common questions
- What is HB429?
- HB429 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Early Learning.
- What does HB429 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to early learning.
- What is the status of HB429?
- Failed as of April 2, 2026. Latest action: Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457). (April 2, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB429?
- Nadine Nakamura (D, 15), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB429?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=429&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.