Hawaii HB2534: Relating to Robotics.

What the bill says

A bill for an act relating to robotics.

From the engrossed text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ROBOTICS. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that education in robotics provides hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning that increases critical thinking and creative problem--solving skills among students. Since the first robotics program was established at Waialua High School in 1999, the State has embraced robotics technology as both an educational and a competitive platform. Between 2008 and 2012, the legislature supported robotics programs through measures such as Act 111, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, and other measures investing in Hawaii's emerging science and technology fields by funding scholarships for the State's first "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology" (FIRST) regional competition. Through FIRST and VEX Robotics, two major robotics programs for students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve, Hawaii's robotics teams engage more than two thousand five hundred students from numerous schools across the Sta:e. Today, these 2026--1135 HB2534 HD1 HMSO H.B. NcJ. ~ robotics teams achieve national and international success and contribute to the community by leading local science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education initiatives. The legislature further finds that since 2009, the State has lost numerous high school robotics teams due to insufficient resources and a lack of mentors. Unlike most extracurricular activities, robotics is conducted year--round, with each team having several mentors. The cost of hosting a competition …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Julie Reyes Oda (R, 40) · primary sponsor
• David Alcos (R, 41)
• Elle Cochran (D, 14)
• Luke Evslin (D, 16)
• Diamond Garcia (R, 42)
• Mark Hashem (D, 19)
• Ikaika Hussey (D, 29)
• Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
• Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
• Jeanne Kapela (D, 5)
• Susan Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D, 2)
• Darius Kila (D, 44)

Latest actions

1. March 20, 2026: The committee on EDU deferred the measure.
2. March 17, 2026: The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 03-20-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
3. March 10, 2026: Referred to EDU, WAM.
4. March 10, 2026: Passed First Reading.
5. March 10, 2026: Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 216).
6. March 6, 2026: Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso, Sayama excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
7. March 6, 2026: Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 941-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
8. March 3, 2026: The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Lee, M.; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
9. February 27, 2026: Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 03-03-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
10. February 18, 2026: Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).

Votes

• Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso, Sayama excused (2) (March 6, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
• FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 3, 2026): 16 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (February 18, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
• ECD: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (February 13, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on ECD with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (February 10, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
• EDN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 5, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB2534?

HB2534 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Robotics.

What does HB2534 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act relating to robotics.

What is the status of HB2534?

Failed as of March 20, 2026. Latest action: The committee on EDU deferred the measure. (March 20, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2534?

Julie Reyes Oda (R, 40), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2534?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2534&year=2026