Hawaii HCR161: Requesting the Department of Education to Establish a Swimmer Classification Framework for Public Schools.

What the bill says

From the introduced text:

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 STATE OF HAWAII HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A SWIMMER CLASSIFICATION FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WHEREAS, Hawaii is an island state in which regular interaction with the ocean is an integral part of daily life, cultural practice, and physical recreation; and WHEREAS, the ocean waters surrounding the State are among the most powerful and dangerous in the world; and WHEREAS, swimming and water-safety skills are essential life skills that contribute to safety, health, and overall well-- being; and WHEREAS, despite Hawaii's ocean-centered environment, opportunities for water-safety education and swimming proficiency vary significantly across schools, and there is currently no standardized swimmer classification or proficiency benchmark for students participating in water-related activities in public schools; and WHEREAS, establishing a swimmer classification system would support safer participation in physical education, interscholastic athletics, outdoor education, and enrichment programs, while promoting equity in access to essential water-safety skills; 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 Department of Education is requested to establish a swimmer classification framework for public schools; and 2026--0539 HCR EMSO H.C.R. NO. t~i BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in developing the swimmer classification framework, the Department of Education is …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Jeanne Kapela (D, 5) · primary sponsor
• Terez Amato (D, 11)
• Gedeon, Joe (R, 18)
• Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
• Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
• Darius Kila (D, 44)
• Matthias Kusch (D, 1)
• Lisa Marten (D, 51)
• Amy Perruso (D, 46)
• Julie Reyes Oda (R, 40)
• Garner Shimizu (R, 32)
• Gregg Takayama (D, 34)

Latest actions

1. April 10, 2026: Referred to EDU.
2. April 6, 2026: Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 469).
3. April 2, 2026: Transmitted to Senate.
4. April 2, 2026: Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
5. April 2, 2026: Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1789-26), recommending adoption.
6. March 31, 2026: The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Kapela, Olds; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 4 Excused: Representative(s) Garrett, Kila, Muraoka, Souza.
7. March 25, 2026: Resolution scheduled to be heard by EDN on Tuesday, 03-31-26 2:00PM in conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
8. March 18, 2026: Referred to EDN, referral sheet 19
9. March 16, 2026: Offered

Votes

• Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (April 2, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
• EDN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 31, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HCR161?

HCR161 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Requesting the Department of Education to Establish a Swimmer Classification Framework for Public Schools.

What is the status of HCR161?

In committee as of April 10, 2026. Latest action: Referred to EDU. (April 10, 2026).

Who sponsored HCR161?

Jeanne Kapela (D, 5), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HCR161?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HCR&billnumber=161&year=2026