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SB2549Introduced in the Senate

Relating To Student Transportation.

EngrossedHouse Education

Introduced by Troy Hashimoto, District 5

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Requires the Department of Education to hire a new contractor or contractors with the Governor's approval if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days. Requires the DOE to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a contracted route without an approved justification. Specifies that the assessed penalties be deposited into the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund. Beginning 7/1/2026, requires all requests for proposals issued and contracts executed by the DOE for student transportation services to specifically reference certain new provisions. Authorizes the use of the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services. Requires quarterly reports to the Legislature. (SD1)

Where it stands

Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 16

March 10, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended · March 2, 2026

13

Yes

0

No

0

Absent or Not Voting

13 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

How would you vote on this bill?

An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.

One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Lorraine Inouye1Yes
Dru Kanuha3Yes
Tim Richards4Yes
Troy Hashimoto5Yes
Lynn Decoite7Yes
Sharon Moriwaki12Yes
Donna Kim14Yes
Glenn Wakai15Yes
Brandon Elefante16Yes
Donovan Cruz17Yes

Bill history

  1. Introduced.

  2. Passed First Reading.

  3. Referred to EDU, WAM.

  4. The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 02-13-26 1:05PM; CR 229 & Videoconference.

  5. The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga, Hashimoto.

  6. Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2331) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

  7. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

  8. The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-25-26 10:55AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

  9. The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 03-02-26 10:01AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

  10. The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

  11. Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2772) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.

  12. One Day Notice 03-06-26.

  13. Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.

  14. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 63) in amended form (SD 1).

  15. Pass First Reading

  16. Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 16

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