Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SR148: Urging the Governor to Reconsider His Decision Not to Allow Hawaii to Participate in the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program.
Status: In committee, March 19, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text:
THE SENATE S.R. NO. THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 STATE OF HAWAII SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNOR TO RECONSIDER HIS DECISION NOT TO ALLOW HAWAII TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FEDERAL EDUCATION FREEDOM TAX CREDIT PROGRTXM. WHEREAS, the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program, scheduled to take effect in 2027, provides a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for voluntary donations to certified scholarship granting organizations (SGOs); and WHEREAS, scholarships funded through the Education Freedom Tax Credit will be awarded to "students eligible to enroll in a public elementary or secondary school and from a household with income not greater than 300% of the area's median gross income"; and WHEREAS, scholarships can be used for a wide array of education expenses including tuition for students to attend private schools of choice, tutoring at public schools, and support services for students with disabilities; and WHEREAS, the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program is funded by private contributions and the federal tax code, rather than through state appropriations; and WHEREAS, the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program expands options for low- and middle-income families, while having no impact on state revenues and no reduction in public school funding; and WHEREAS, a state must opt-in to be considered a "covered state" participating in the program, and the statute provides the Governor of each state with …
Sponsors
- Brenton Awa (R, 23) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Referred to EDU/WAM.
- : Offered.
Subjects: Appropriations
Common questions
- What is SR148?
- SR148 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Urging the Governor to Reconsider His Decision Not to Allow Hawaii to Participate in the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program.
- What is the status of SR148?
- In committee as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: Referred to EDU/WAM. (March 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored SR148?
- Brenton Awa (R, 23).
- Where is the official record for SR148?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SR&billnumber=148&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.