Senate education committee backs HB 329, HD2 with amendments and $180 million in targeted appropriations

The Senate Committee on Education recommended passage with amendments Tuesday of House Bill 329, House Draft 2 (HB 329, HD2), a measure that expands the School Facilities Authority's (SFA) role in early-learning projects and workforce housing and adds three targeted appropriations totaling $180 million for fiscal 2026.

The committee's action, taken in Hearing Room 229 on March 19, 2025, directs that SFA not be responsible for Department of Education (DOE) facilities maintenance and repairs; preserves recruitment for SFA positions with the Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD); and authorizes SFA to build workforce housing on school property and other property. The committee also inserted three appropriations: $100 million for a new middle school in Central Maui, $30 million for a new elementary school in Lahaina, and $50 million for teacher housing in Mililani.

Why it matters: HB 329, HD2 would broaden SFA's explicit project authority to include prekindergarten, preschool, childcare and early learning programs, workforce housing and other public school development planning and construction assigned by the legislature, governor or board of education. The bill's scope…