Labor & Employment

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 2165: RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.

Amends the qualifications for unemployed individuals who are able to receive unemployment benefits. Beginning 4/1/2027, removes the two-year limitation on the recoupment of overpayments and limits the amount of overpaid amount and the penalty assessment amount that can be deducted from future benefits payable to the individual. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to assess and collect a service charge for dishonored unemployment insurance assessments. Beginning 4/1/2027, specifies that employers must report separation and wage information within five calendar days of notice being sent, whether by mail or electronic notification. Beginning 4/1/2027, increases the penalty for failure to report separations or wages and for failure to file or for filing insufficient wage reports. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRemoves two-year overpayment recoupment limit and adds service charges, tightening eligibility and increasing costs for unemployment recipients.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 3090: MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining units (1) and (10) and their excluded counterparts to resolve issues related to temporary hazard pay for fiscal year 2025-2026. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes emergency appropriations for public employment cost items, increasing government spending on essential workforce compensation for fiscal year 2025-2026.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds collective bargaining costs for public employees to resolve temporary hazard pay issues, directly supporting workers' rights and collective bargaining under labor & employment.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 2091: RELATING TO PETITIONS TO TEMPORARILY RESTRAIN AND ENJOIN HARASSMENT OF AN EMPLOYEE.

Establishes a two-year pilot project to authorize public employers to petition for temporary restraining orders and injunctions against employment-related harassment of certain public employees. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAuthorizes public employers to seek legal remedies against harassment, directly protecting public employees' workplace safety and rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 2324: RELATING TO THE HAWAII OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LAW.

Repeals the requirement that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations regulate hoisting machines and certify their operators and the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board, including its rules requiring a separate state crane operator certificate. Allows additional time for the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to complete an investigation of a discharge or discrimination complaint pertaining to employees exercising rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Law without formal extension. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends investigation time for OSHA complaint cases, strengthening worker protection under safety law by allowing more time to address discharge/discrimination claims.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 104: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN COMPLETING THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION SYSTEMS FOR ALL CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION.

This resolution asks the Department of Human Resources Development to work with state agencies and labor groups to finish reviewing how state jobs are classified and paid. The request focuses on addressing high vacancy rates and outdated pay structures that make it hard to hire and keep workers. It directs the department to prioritize departments with the most open positions and difficult-to-fill roles. This is a procedural request rather than a new law, aiming to improve the state's workforce planning process.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill aims to improve workforce stability by addressing high vacancy rates and outdated pay structures through comprehensive review and collaboration with labor organizations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 100: REQUESTING THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR, FOR INCLUSION IN THE STATE UNIFIED PLAN, A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE WORKFORCE STRATEGY TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE OF THE STATE HAVE A PATHWAY TO A CAREER THAT ENABLES THEM TO LEARN, WORK, AND THRIVE IN THE STATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO A VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY VALUES BY 2045.

This bill asks the Workforce Development Council to create a long-term statewide workforce strategy aimed at helping all residents find careers that allow them to live and work in Hawaii by 2045. The proposed plan would be included in the State Unified Plan and would coordinate efforts across state and county agencies to improve job opportunities, increase work-based learning programs for youth, and expand living-wage employment. The strategy would also establish specific goals and metrics to track progress in reducing underemployment and improving job quality throughout the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes workforce development, career pathways, and living-wage employment, strengthening labor opportunities and worker well-being.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 92: REQUESTING THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR, FOR INCLUSION IN THE STATE UNIFIED PLAN, A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE WORKFORCE STRATEGY TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE OF THE STATE HAVE A PATHWAY TO A CAREER THAT ENABLES THEM TO LEARN, WORK, AND THRIVE IN THE STATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO A VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY VALUES BY 2045.

This House Resolution requests the Workforce Development Council to develop a comprehensive statewide workforce strategy by 2045 to ensure all residents have access to careers that allow them to learn, work, and thrive in Hawaii. The bill directs the Council to recommend this strategy to the Governor for inclusion in the State Unified Plan, aiming to address concerns about high living costs, limited job opportunities, and youth unemployment. The proposed strategy must include specific plans and metrics for improving work-based learning, expanding living-wage jobs, reducing underemployment, and strengthening industry partnerships. This resolution focuses on creating a long-term framework to unify state and county workforce efforts under common goals and priorities.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes comprehensive workforce strategy to ensure all residents have access to careers, addressing unemployment and economic opportunities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 42: RECOGNIZING OPEN WATER LIFEGUARDS AS FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII.

This House Resolution formally recognizes open water lifeguards in Hawaii as first responders, acknowledging their specialized training and critical role in emergency response. The bill highlights that these professionals are among the first to arrive at beach emergencies, providing medical aid, rescue services, and scene security similar to police and firefighters. While the resolution does not create new legal requirements, it urges state and county agencies to grant lifeguards the same rights, resources, and professional respect afforded to other first responders. The measure also encourages collaboration among public safety agencies to improve emergency response capabilities across Hawaii's ocean and shoreline environments.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill recognizes lifeguards as first responders, potentially expanding their rights and protections similar to other emergency workers, which aligns with protecting worker status and benefits.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 183: RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND.

Allows impasses and disputes relating to the amounts of State and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to be resolved by arbitration. Repeals the prohibition against strikes by members of bargaining units on the issue of the amounts of State and county contributions to the Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRepeals strike prohibition on contribution disputes, enabling collective bargaining over health fund funding and strengthening union negotiation rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 480: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Authorizes an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination and refer an injured employee for the examination without first obtaining permission from the employee's employer. Allows licensed occupational and physical therapists to be deemed qualified to perform functional capacity examinations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows physicians to refer injured workers for functional capacity exams without employer permission, improving access to healthcare services for workplace injury cases.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves employer permission barrier for medical exams, streamlining access to workers' compensation evaluations and protecting injured workers' rights under compensation process.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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