Bill > HB763

This bill establishes the Hawaii Civic Education Trust Fund to support and improve civic education in the state's public school system. The bill recognizes that civic education is crucial for developing critical thinking skills and democratic participation, particularly in light of Hawaii's low voter turnout. The trust fund will be managed by the Department of Education and can receive contributions from public and private sources, including corporations, foundations, and individual donors. The fund's purpose is to support various activities such as grantmaking, allocating funds for civic education programs, providing classroom resources, supporting professional development for teachers, and raising awareness about civic engagement. The bill appropriates funds for expanding civic education in public schools, including developing resources aligned with Hawaii's core standards in social studies and creating full-time equivalent permanent civic education resource teacher positions. The legislation aims to help students develop skills to understand social problems, evaluate solutions, distinguish evidence-based claims from opinions, and actively participate in democratic processes. By investing in civic education, the bill seeks to increase long-term citizen engagement and voter participation in Hawaii.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=763&year=2026