Labor & Employment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2706: RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes a five-year Agriculture and Biosecurity Workforce Development Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii's Leeward Community College and the Department of Human Resources Development. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes workforce development pilot program to train agricultural/biosecurity workers, enhancing job readiness and employment opportunities through education partnerships.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 24, 2026

HCR 112: 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 bill requests the Department of Human Resources Development to work with state departments, agencies, and labor organizations to complete a comprehensive review of how civil service positions are classified and compensated. The measure focuses on addressing high vacancy rates and outdated job descriptions that make it difficult to recruit and retain employees. It directs the department to prioritize departments with the highest vacancy rates and difficult-to-fill positions during the review process. This is a procedural resolution that encourages collaboration to ensure recommendations are practical and aligned with long-term workforce needs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to improve civil service classification and compensation to address high vacancy rates, strengthening recruitment and retention of workers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 2455: RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.

Requires certain employers to provide administrative leave of absence for victims of workplace violence or threat of workplace violence. Expands the type of certification an employee may provide to an employer if the leave exceeds five days per calendar year. Prohibits retaliation against employees for exercising rights related to domestic violence, sexual violence, or workplace violence or threat of workplace violence. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires paid/unpaid leave for workplace violence victims, expanding worker protections and safety benefits per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 2273: MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (14) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds collective bargaining costs and negotiated salary adjustments for public employees, directly supporting worker representation and wage negotiations under collective bargaining.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2005: RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.

HB 2005 establishes a statewide language access education and workforce development program at the University of Hawaii, funded through state appropriations. The program aims to train workers in language access services, directly impacting the University of Hawaii system and future state workforce development efforts. It requires the university to develop training curricula and implement the program, with funding allocated for this purpose. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 3000 (a date likely reflecting a typo in the official record).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds language access program at University of Hawaii, directly supporting higher education workforce development and educational access through state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce development program training workers in language access services, advancing employment standards through skill-building and state-funded workforce preparation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 2386: RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS.

Clarifies that the requirement to disclose hourly rates or salary ranges on job listings applies to full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal employment. Repeals the exemption for employers having fewer than fifty employees from the disclosure requirement. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires pay transparency in job listings for most employers, advancing workers' right to know compensation before applying, while moderately exempting very small businesses.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 1878: RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION.

Prohibits discrimination based on: (1) The perception that a person possesses certain characteristics; (2) The perception that a person is associated with a person who possesses, or is perceived to possess, certain characteristics; or (3) The intersection or combination of two or more specified characteristics in relation to a person. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employment discrimination based on perceived characteristics, association, and intersectionality, directly protecting workers' rights in Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 3055: RELATING TO FALSE IMPERSONATION OF UNION REPRESENTATIVES.

SB 3055 makes it illegal to falsely pose as a union representative to employees. The bill directly affects individuals who impersonate union officials, such as those falsely claiming authority to negotiate or represent workers. It creates a legal path for affected employees or organizations to sue impersonators and imposes penalties, including fines. This policy change clarifies that deceptive impersonation is a civil violation, not just a workplace issue.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents deceptive impersonation of union reps, protecting workers' ability to engage in legitimate collective bargaining and reducing fraud that undermines union representation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SCR 147: REQUESTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING TO INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR ADULT CORRECTIONS OFFICERS EMPLOYED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII'S DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the federal government to provide additional funding to help Hawaii increase pay for adult corrections officers in the state's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The bill addresses ongoing staffing shortages and high turnover by requesting federal financial support for competitive compensation, including base pay adjustments and retention incentives. It does not directly change state laws or budgets but serves as a formal request to federal officials to assist with workforce stabilization. The resolution aims to reduce vacancies and improve safety conditions without placing the full financial burden on state taxpayers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks federal funding to improve compensation for corrections officers, addressing staffing shortages and retention issues critical to effective criminal justice operations.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks federal funding to increase compensation for corrections officers, addressing staffing shortages and improving worker wages and retention.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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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 absent

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