Bill > SB610

This bill establishes a voluntary "rounding up for teachers" program that allows utility customers in Hawaii to round up their electric or water bills to the nearest dollar or make a specific donation, with proceeds going to a new special fund designed to provide additional compensation for teachers. The bill is motivated by recent improvements in reducing teacher shortages (from over 1,000 unfilled positions in 2022-2023 to 166 unfilled positions in 2024-2025) but ongoing concerns about future teacher retention. Under the proposed program, electric utilities and county water supply boards must add a line item to customer bills that clearly explains customers can voluntarily contribute extra money to support teacher salaries, with all collected funds deposited into a dedicated special fund administered by the Department of Education. The bill specifies that these contributions are completely voluntary, will not be considered utility revenue (and thus not subject to various taxes), and will supplement—not replace—the existing Department of Education budget. The program is set to take effect in stages, with initial implementation planned for July 1, 2026, and the bill includes appropriations to help counties implement the new program.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=610&year=2026