Hawaii HB2171: Relating to the University of Hawaii.

What the bill says

A bill for an act relating to the university of hawaii.

From the enrolled text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that hands-on, real-world experience is a critical component of higher education, particularly in fields such as hospitality, agriculture, culinary arts, and business management. To provide this essential training, the university of Hawaii must be able to operate teaching laboratories, which are facilities that function as active businesses to give students practical experience in their chosen careers. The legislature further finds that these educational laboratories often mimic commercial enterprises in their operations, such as teaching hotels or culinary centers. Consequently, these facilities can face regulatory hurdles at the county level, where zoning codes and requirements for special use permits, designed for commercial entities, are applied to educational institutions. For example, the university of Hawaii Maui college's hospitality academy seeks to operate a limited number of guest rooms for student training but 2026--3340 HB2171 CD1 HMSO H.B. NO. ~ C.D. faces zoning challenges regarding the collection of fees and the requirement for special use permits. The legislature determines that the educational mission of the university of Hawaii is a matter of statewide concern pursuant to article X, section 6, of the Hawaii State Constitution. Subjecting university educational programs to varying county zoning ordinances and discretionary permit processes hinders the development of necessary workforce training programs. The …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Justin Woodson (D, 9) · primary sponsor
• Terez Amato (D, 11)
• Luke Evslin (D, 16)
• Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
• Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
• Jeanne Kapela (D, 5)
• Darius Kila (D, 44)
• Matthias Kusch (D, 1)
• Nicole Lowen (D, 7)
• Lisa Marten (D, 51)
• Lauren Matsumoto (R, 38)
• Ikaika Olds (D, 23)

Latest actions

1. June 24, 2026: Act 138, on 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1239).
2. June 24, 2026: Act 138, 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1239).
3. May 8, 2026: Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
4. May 7, 2026: Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6, 2026: Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
6. May 6, 2026: Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Iwamoto, Pierick voting no (2) and none excused (0).
7. May 6, 2026: Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
8. May 1, 2026: 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
9. May 1, 2026: Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 107-26).
10. May 1, 2026: 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; Representative(s) Iwamoto, Pierick voting no (2) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 49 yea, 2 nay, passed
• none. (April 29, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Conference Committee Vote (April 29, 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 6, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB2171?

HB2171 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to the University of Hawaii.

What does HB2171 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act relating to the university of hawaii.

What is the status of HB2171?

Signed into law as of June 24, 2026. Latest action: Act 138, on 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1239). (June 24, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2171?

Justin Woodson (D, 9), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2171?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2171&year=2026