SB 981 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM.

Summary

Requires the Research and Economic Analysis Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study the impacts of the incremental minimum wage increases pursuant to Act 114, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, on businesses and other employers. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB981 → SB981_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was updated from a House version to a Senate version, changing the bill type from 'SB' to 'SMA' and the sponsor from Joseph Brown to Ainoa Naniole. The most significant policy change is the effective date of the study, which was moved from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2050, likely to align with a future legislative session or fiscal cycle. Additionally, the report title was slightly expanded to include 'Other Employers' for clarity.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on studying the impact of minimum wage increases on businesses, but the timeline for when this study must begin has been significantly extended.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the required study was changed from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2050, delaying the implementation of the study by several years.

TECHNICAL

The bill type was changed from 'SB' (Senate Bill) to 'SMA' (Senate Member's Amendment), and the sponsor was updated to Ainoa Naniole.

The report title was updated to explicitly include 'Other Employers' alongside businesses.

Formatting and metadata regarding the bill's revision number and template type were updated to reflect the Senate version.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Committee

Reported from EDT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 124) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Jan 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDT were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Wakai, Kim; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga, Awa.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT has scheduled a public hearing on 01-30-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to EDT, WAM.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.