HI HB2534

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish robotics as an interscholastic sport in Hawaii public schools

Hawaii's robotics programs through FIRST and VEX Robotics currently engage over 2,500 students in grades pre-K through 12 across the state

Robotics education in Hawaii began at Waialua High School in 1999, with the state previously supporting programs through measures like Act 111 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2007)

Several high school robotics teams, including at Maui High School and James Campbell High School, have been threatened by loss of federal funding and reliance on competitive grants

Requires the Department of Education to minimize documentation requirements for teams to participate in the interscholastic sport