Hawaii HCR53: Requesting the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to Conduct a Systemwide Associate Degree Completion Audit.

What the bill says

From the engrossed text:

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.C.R. NO. THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D. STATE OF HAWAII HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII BOARD OF REGENTS TO CONDUCT A SYSTEMWIDE ASSOCIATE DEGREE COMPLETION AUDIT. WHEREAS, increasing postsecondary degree attainment strengthens Hawaii's workforce, supports economic mobility, and improves long-term economic resilience; and WHEREAS, many students accumulate substantial college credits but leave the University of Hawaii System without receiving a credential; and WHEREAS, students who have earned sufficient credits to meet associate degree requirements may not receive a degree due to transfer patterns, financial hardship, life circumstances, or administrative barriers; and WHEREAS, awarding earned credentials recognizes student achievement, improves workforce readiness, and enhances statewide degree attainment metrics; and WHEREAS, reverse transfer and degree audit initiatives have been implemented in other states to identify students eligible for associate degree awards after transferring or withdrawing; and WHEREAS, section 304A-105, Hawaii Revised Statutes, grants the University of Hawaii Board of Regents exclusive jurisdiction over the internal structure, management, and operation of the University; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that the University of Hawaii Board of Regents is requested to conduct a systemwide audit to identify current and former students who have accumulated 2026-2358 HCR53 SDl SMA.docx ll■lnl■lilllllll■lllllllllllllllllll …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Andrew Garrett (D, 22) · primary sponsor
• Terez Amato (D, 11)
• Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
• Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
• Matthias Kusch (D, 1)
• Lisa Marten (D, 51)
• Tyson Miyake (D, 10)
• Ikaika Olds (D, 23)
• Amy Perruso (D, 46)
• Julie Reyes Oda (R, 40)
• Gregg Takayama (D, 34)

Latest actions

1. May 8, 2026: Received notice of Adoption in House (Hse. Com. No. 891).
2. May 8, 2026: Resolution adopted in final form.
3. May 8, 2026: Adopted as amended in SD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Hussey, Kong, Quinlan excused (3).
4. May 8, 2026: House agrees to Senate amendment(s).
5. May 6, 2026: One (1) day notice, Friday, 05-08-26.
6. April 24, 2026: Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 748) in amended form (SD 1).
7. April 24, 2026: Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.
8. April 23, 2026: One Day Notice 04-24-26.
9. April 23, 2026: Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3904) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).
10. April 20, 2026: The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Fukunaga.

Votes

• Adopted as amended in SD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Hussey, Kong, Quinlan excused (3) (May 8, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
• EDU: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 20, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Nakamura, Perruso excused (2) (March 31, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
• HED: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 25, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HCR53?

HCR53 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Requesting the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to Conduct a Systemwide Associate Degree Completion Audit.

What is the status of HCR53?

Passed both chambers as of May 8, 2026. Latest action: Received notice of Adoption in House (Hse. Com. No. 891). (May 8, 2026).

Who sponsored HCR53?

Andrew Garrett (D, 22), with 10 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HCR53?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HCR&billnumber=53&year=2026