Hawaii SB2125: Relating to Teacher Licensing.

What the bill says

A bill for an act relating to teacher licensing.

From the enrolled text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSING. SECTION 1. Section 302A-804, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows: 1. By amending subsection (b) to read: "(b) The department's powers and duties under this subpart shall be limited to: (1) Hiring, except in emergency situations as described in this chapter, licensed teachers to teach in their fields of licensing; (2) Reporting data annually to the board about the supply of, and demand for, teachers in department schools, including the identification of shortage areas, out-of-field teaching assignments, number of classrooms without a licensed teacher for a quarter or more, numbers of teachers teaching out-of-field, numbers and types of courses and classes taught by out-of-field teachers, and numbers and types of students taught by out-of-field teachers; 2026-2535 SB2125 CDl SMA.docx niiiiiiniiiiniiiiiniiBiiii Page 2 S.B. NO. C.D. (3) On an emergency and case-by-case basis, hiring unlicensed individuals; provided that: (A) A list of the names, work sites, teaching assignments, and progress toward licensing of these individuals shall be reported to the board and any changes shall be updated on a monthly basis by the department; (B) There are no properly licensed teachers for the specific assignments for which the individuals are being hired; and (C) No individual may be employed by the department on an emergency basis for more than [^fehi^ee] five …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Lynn DeCoite (D, 7) · primary sponsor
• Troy Hashimoto (D, 5)
• Glenn Wakai (D, 15)

Latest actions

1. May 26, 2026: Act 030, on 05/22/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1130).
2. May 26, 2026: Act 030, 05/22/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1130).
3. May 8, 2026: Enrolled to Governor.
4. May 8, 2026: Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
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 Representative(s) Garcia, Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Belatti, Garrett, Iwamoto, Perruso voting no (4) and Representative(s) Alcos excused (1).
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: Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
9. May 1, 2026: Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 208-26) as amended in (CD 1).
10. May 1, 2026: 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 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 Representative(s) Garcia, Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Belatti, Garrett, Iwamoto, Perruso voting no (4) and Representative(s) Alcos e (May 6, 2026): 46 yea, 4 nay, passed
• Representative(s) Sayama. (May 1, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Conference Committee Vote (May 1, 2026): 2 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Garcia, Matsumoto, Poepoe voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garrett, Iwamoto, Muraoka, Perruso voting no (5) and Representa (April 14, 2026): 45 yea, 5 nay, passed
• FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 8, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB2125?

SB2125 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Teacher Licensing.

What does SB2125 do?

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

What is the status of SB2125?

Signed into law as of May 26, 2026. Latest action: Act 030, on 05/22/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1130). (May 26, 2026).

Who sponsored SB2125?

Lynn DeCoite (D, 7), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB2125?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2125&year=2026