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 absent

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 146: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE REVIEW OF CIVIL SERVICE CLASS SPECIFICATIONS, MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, AND CLASSIFICATIONS AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A PHASED MODERNIZATION IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a comprehensive review of state civil service job descriptions and classifications to ensure they reflect modern workplace requirements. The review will examine outdated job duties, evaluate salary competitiveness against current labor markets, and identify positions with chronic recruitment or retention challenges. The resolution also authorizes the use of artificial intelligence tools to assist in analyzing job data, provided they are used only for support purposes under strict human oversight and do not make final employment decisions. The department is asked to consult with employees, unions, and stakeholders, then submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill aims to modernize job descriptions and improve recruitment/retention, directly supporting workforce development and employment standards.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly authorizes use of artificial intelligence as a support tool for civil service modernization, indicating positive stance toward technology adoption.75% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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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 both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 325: RELATING TO THE GENERAL FUND.

Provides a tax credit to taxpayers and makes deposits to the emergency and budget reserve fund and other post-employment benefits trust fund pursuant to article VII, section 6, of the Hawaii State Constitution. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit to taxpayers and deposits to reserve funds, indicating fiscal responsibility and tax relief per constitutional requirements.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Fund, providing post-employment benefits to workers, directly supporting employment standards and benefits.90% 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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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 717: RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Repeals the prohibition placed on certain employees exempt from Civil Service Law from grieving a suspension or discharge. Allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to grieve a suspension or discharge. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRepeals prohibition preventing exempt employees from grievance procedures, strengthening collective bargaining rights and worker protections under labor policy.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 1036: RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (10) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides state appropriations for public employee salary adjustments and collective bargaining costs, directly increasing government spending on personnel within budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds collective bargaining salary adjustments for public sector bargaining units, directly supporting workers' collective bargaining rights and wage negotiations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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