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Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

HB 542: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROMISE PROGRAM.

Passed one chamber Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 542 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii House on January 17, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROMISE PROGRAM. Primary sponsor: Andrew Garrett (Democratic), Jeanné Kapela (Democratic), Darius Kila (Democratic), Trish La Chica (Democratic), Ikaika Olds (Democratic), Kanani Souza (Republican). Most recent recorded action (February 2, 2026): Re-Referred to EDU, WAM.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Expands the Hawaii promise program to provide scholarships for the unmet needs of qualified students at any four-year university of Hawaii campus who meet certain criteria. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 5 · Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Andrew GarrettPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse22
Jeanné KapelaPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse5
Darius KilaPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse44
Trish La ChicaPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse37
Ikaika OldsPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse23
Kanani SouzaPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse43

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Re-Referred to EDU, WAM.
  2. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
  3. Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 108).
  4. Passed First Reading.
  5. Referred to HRE, WAM.
  6. Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 915), recommending passage on Third Reading.
  7. Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick, Templo, Ward excused (4). Transmitted to Senate.
  8. The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 12 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Miyake, Templo, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 4 Excused: Representative(s) Lee, M., Morikawa, Alcos, Ward.
  9. Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Friday, 02-21-25 10:00AM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
  10. Reported from HED (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 408) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
  11. Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick voting no (3) and Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2).
  12. The committee on HED recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Garrett, Amato, Kapela, Kila, La Chica, Olds, Sayama, Woodson, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Evslin, Muraoka.

Showing 12 most recent of 16 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source