Committee passes veterans' diploma, military‑child compact and DOT‑DoD agreement bills

The House Committee on Public Safety moved three measures forward March 25, 2026: Senate Bill 2,614 HD1 (authorizing the Department of Education to grant a high‑school diploma to qualified people whose education was interrupted by U.S. military service or wartime practices), Senate Bill 3,118 HD1 (technical updates to the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children), and Senate Bill 3,156 HD1 (authorizing the Department of Transportation to enter into agreements with the U.S. Department of Defense for projects affecting federal military installations).

Elizabeth Higashi of the Department of Education testified in support of SB 2,614 and SB 3,118 and asked for immediate effective dates in both bills, saying DOE is ready to implement on approval. "We are here to testify in support of this measure, and we are respectfully asking for an immediate effective date as the department is ready to implement upon approval," Higashi told the committee.

Kurt Otaguro, deputy director for airports at DOT, testified the department stands on its testimony in support of SB 3,156 and described the initiative as an important agency priority. DOT told the committee it was prepared to answer questions and urged favorable consideration.

The committee adopted the chair's recommendations: SB 2,614 passed with an effective upon approval date; SB 3,118 passed with amendments; and SB 3,156 passed as recommended and will proceed to the Finance Committee. One member registered a reservation on SB 3,156, saying they were concerned about using state resources to build federal facilities, though the member still voted to advance the bill with reservations noted.

All three measures will follow the normal floor and conference paths as required by chamber rules. The committee indicated that DOE and DOT have been coordinating with relevant stakeholders and that the bills are primarily housekeeping or implementation measures where agencies said they were prepared to begin operations.