Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 2158: RELATING TO VETERINARIANS.

Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Special Fund. Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program to support qualified veterinarians committed to or currently working in veterinary medicine in the State. Authorizes the Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine to enter into agreements, including memoranda of understanding, with the University of Hawaii, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, and accredited out-of-state schools to increase the availability of accredited veterinary programs and licensure opportunities to residents of the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides loan repayment and scholarships for veterinarians, supporting workforce development in a specific profession within labor/employment context.70% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2025: RELATING TO JURY DUTY.

SB 2025 allows actively practicing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to claim exemption from serving on jury duty. This bill directly affects APRNs who are currently working in their specialty roles. The key provision removes the requirement for these nurses to fulfill jury service obligations, instead permitting them to formally request exemption. The change aims to address workforce needs by reducing scheduling conflicts for nurses providing critical healthcare services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts APRNs from jury duty to maintain healthcare workforce continuity, reducing scheduling conflicts for critical patient care services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts APRNs from jury duty to reduce scheduling conflicts, supporting workforce stability in critical healthcare roles by protecting employment continuity.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1660: RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT.

Requires employers in the hospitality industry to implement anti-harassment measures, provide training, and equip certain workers with panic buttons. Prohibits retaliation against a hospitality worker who files a complaint, uses the provided panic button, or participates in an investigation or proceeding related to a harassment complaint. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules, including rules determining penalties and establishing procedures for handling complaints. Requires all hospitality employers to comply no later than 1/1/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates anti-harassment measures, panic buttons, and prohibits retaliation for hospitality workers, directly strengthening workplace safety and worker protections in the hospitality industry.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 340: RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

Clarifies that the Hawaii Labor Relations Board has the authority to enforce its own orders issued pursuant to state law governing collective bargaining in public employment, in addition to discretion to seek judicial enforcement of its orders under the Hawaii Employment Relations Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies HLRB's authority to enforce collective bargaining orders, strengthening public sector workers' rights under Hawaii Employment Relations Act.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 451: RELATING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

SB 451 would require the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid buy-in program, enabling working people with disabilities to maintain health coverage without losing Medicaid benefits when they earn income. This program would allow individuals to pay a portion of the cost to stay enrolled in Medicaid while working, rather than losing coverage as earnings increase. The bill is scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2050, but remains under review by the Health and Human Services committee. It directly affects working adults with disabilities who currently face coverage gaps when earning above Medicaid income limits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSB 451 creates a Medicaid buy-in program enabling working people with disabilities to maintain health coverage without losing benefits as income rises, directly expanding access to healthcare coverage for a vulnerable population.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables workers with disabilities to maintain Medicaid coverage while earning income, removing a barrier to employment and protecting health benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1287: RELATING TO TRANSPARENCY.

Requires under the State's wage compensation laws that food, beverage, and service establishments that accept tips and employ tipped employees post signs that include language explaining their tip allocation practices and the contact information for the Wage Standards Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Wage and Hours Division of the United States Department of Labor. Establishes back wages and penalties as available remedies for employees in the event of a violation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires transparency in tip allocation with remedies for violations, protecting workers' right to fair compensation under wage laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1057: RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Clarifies that the bid incentive given to bidders for public works construction projects who are parties to an apprenticeship agreement is based on apprenticeable trades utilized, rather than employed, to construct the public works. Requires the bidder and the bidder's subcontractors to be parties to all apprenticeable trades utilized to construct the project for which a state-approved apprenticeship program exists. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires contractors to use state-approved apprenticeships for public works, advancing workforce training and employment standards in skilled trades.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1503: RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to develop and implement training programs, public-private partnerships, funding opportunities, and recruitment strategies to develop a local workforce to meet the growing demand in defense-related personnel and promote economic diversification. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAppropriates funds for workforce training, public-private partnerships, and recruitment to develop local labor force, directly advancing employment standards and economic diversification.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 997: RELATING TO ENERGY.

Requires an attestation or declaration regarding project labor standards, including adherence to state-approved apprenticeship programs and prevailing wage requirements, for covered large-scale renewable energy generation projects. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires labor standards for renewable energy projects, facilitating development through apprenticeship/wage requirements, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires prevailing wage and state-approved apprenticeship adherence for renewable energy projects, strengthening labor standards and worker protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1417: RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKERS.

Specifies that intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a protective services worker who is engaged in the performance of the worker's duties is a class C felony. Clarifies that a protective services worker is a public servant for the purposes of section 707-716, HRS, Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for harming protective services workers, strengthening legal protections within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill classifies assaults on protective services workers as felonies, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for this specific worker group, aligning with labor safety indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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