Resolution encouraging education experts to create a cost of care estimator tool

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kayla Young

Auditor study would explore tying lawmakers’ base pay to the median licensed teacher salary, examining mechanisms, impacts, and draft legislation for 2026.

To House Health and Human Resources

Summary — HCR 80 (2025): Request for Auditor Study on Tying Legislator Salaries to Median Teacher Salaries

Status: Concurrent resolution (HCR 80). Introduced Feb 20, 2025. Adopted by both chambers; enrolled and signed by leaders; sent to and signed by the Governor (May 24, 2025). Taken by the Clerk and presented to the Secretary of State (June 11, 2025). Sponsors: Rep. Iwamoto (primary), Beau Beaullieu (primary), Muraoka (cosponsor). Companions: SCR 15, HR 83.

Purpose / Intent

HCR 80 requests that the State Auditor research the requirements, parameters, and implementation details for a possible law that would tie the base salaries of state legislators to the median salary of licensed teachers. The resolution frames the proposal as a way to align legislators’ economic interests with education funding priorities and to symbolically recognize teaching as a public service comparable to legislative service.

Key provisions

Requests the State Auditor to:

Research the requirements and parameters for implementing a statute that ties legislator base pay to the median salary of licensed teachers.
Examine other jurisdictions that have enacted laws or regulations tying legislator salaries to those of other government positions (comparative review).
Deliver findings and recommendations, including any draft legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026.

Directs that certified copies of the Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and the Chairperson of the Commission on Salaries.

Notes the Commission on Salaries (established under Hawaii Constitution, Art. XVI, §3.5) as the constitutional body that reviews and recommends salaries for certain state positions, including legislators.

Who would be affected

Legislators: potential change to the statutory method for calculating their base salary.

Licensed public school teachers: their median salary would become the reference point for legislative base pay (indirectly affected).

Commission on Salaries: likely involved in implementing or advising on any statutory change.

State budget/taxpayers: potential fiscal impact if legislator pay becomes linked to fluctuating teacher salaries.

Executive and auditing functions: Auditor required to perform the study and propose legislative language if appropriate.

Procedural / timeline notes

Auditor’s report (with recommendations and any proposed legislation) is due no later than 20 days before the 2026 Regular Session convenes.

HCR 80 is a study/request resolution (not itself an enactment changing pay); any change to legislator compensation would require subsequent enabling legislation or constitutional/Commission action as applicable.

Potential implications (high level)

Would create a linkage between teacher pay trends and legislator compensation, which may affect legislative incentives and public perceptions.

Raises technical questions the Auditor is to explore: how to define “median teacher salary” (statewide vs. by district/step), frequency of adjustments, interaction with Commission on Salaries, budgetary treatment, and legal/administrative mechanisms used in other jurisdictions.