Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB1785: Relating to Student Transportation.
Status: Signed into law, July 14, 2026
Authorizes the Department of Education to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days. Requires the Department to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a contracted route without an approved justification. Specifies that the assessed penalties be deposited into the school bus fare revolving fund. Authorizes the use of the school bus fare revolving fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to student transportation.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that,.while the number of school bus drivers has increased since the governor's August 2, 2024, emergency proclamation relating to school bus services, the department of education continues to experience a school bus driver shortage. The legislature further finds that some school bus contractors enter into contracts but are later unable to provide transportation for all contracted routes. Under existing law, the department of education cannot simply cancel or reassign the unfulfilled portion of the contract. This leaves students without access to school transportation. The purpose of this Act is to provide the department of education with flexibility to remove or suspend portions of [4 school bus contracts if the contractor does not provide services for five or more instructional days, subject to approval by the superintendent. 2026--3342 HB1785 CD1 HMSO H.B. NO. ~ Page2 C.D. SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as failure to provide service. (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when a contractor under a student transportation contract with the department fails to provide service on a contracted service capacity or designated service segment for five or more consecutive instructional days, the superintendent …
Sponsors
- Trish La Chica (D, 37) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
- Ikaika Hussey (D, 29)
- Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
- Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
- Jeanne Kapela (D, 5)
- Darius Kila (D, 44)
- Nicole Lowen (D, 7)
- Lisa Marten (D, 51)
- Scot Matayoshi (D, 49)
Latest actions
- : Act 238, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1340).
- : Act 238, 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1340).
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Transmitted to Governor.
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
- : Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 108-26).
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
Votes
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 6, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- none. (April 30, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (April 30, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading (April 10, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 7, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Penalties, DOE, Student Transportation
Common questions
- What is HB1785?
- HB1785 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Student Transportation.
- What does HB1785 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to student transportation.
- What is the status of HB1785?
- Signed into law as of July 14, 2026. Latest action: Act 238, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1340). (July 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1785?
- Trish La Chica (D, 37), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1785?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1785&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.