Joint committee approves amended AI task force structure for schools

In joint decision making Feb. 13, the House committees on Higher Education and Education approved amendments to HB 1676 (HD1), a measure addressing artificial intelligence in education. The chairs circulated an amended draft that reshaped the proposed task force and removed procurement authority.

Under the HD1, the executive director of the P‑20 Partnerships for Education would serve as task force chair instead of the Department of Education. The amendment adds the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, the Hawaii Government Employees Association and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools to the task force and also adds the Charter School Commission. The chairs said these additions reflect testimony that private and charter schools have implemented AI practices and can share insights.

The committee also removed procurement provisions and narrowed the task force’s focus to curricular guidance and statewide autonomy language. The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB 1676 with amendments; the chair and vice chair voted aye and the roll call recorded present ayes among members (some members excused). The measure will move forward per the adopted recommendation.