Labor & Employment

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1211: RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

HB 1211 would establish a state-run internship and workforce development program within the Department of Human Resources Development. The program aims to connect job seekers with training and work opportunities through state agencies. It directly affects state workforce offices and individuals seeking career advancement. The bill was introduced in January 2025 and is currently pending committee review for the 2026 Regular Session.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes state-run workforce program connecting job seekers to training/work opportunities, directly advancing employment standards through skill development and job placement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees Workforce Development

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2212: RELATING TO A WORKFORCE BUILDER TAX CREDIT.

Establishes an income tax credit for eligible employers who employ qualified interns or apprentices. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, in coordination with the Department of Taxation, to report to the Legislature on the tax credit. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes income tax credit for employers, appropriates funds for workforce program, aligns with tax incentive and funding indicators.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes tax credit for employers hiring interns/apprentices, promoting workforce development and job opportunities within labor & employment framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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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

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3196: RELATING TO LABOR DAY.

Establishes a Labor Day tax credit for employers of construction workers. Requires any employer of a construction worker to pay the construction worker at a rate that is twice the worker's regular rate of pay for any work performed on Labor Day.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a refundable tax credit for employers, directly providing tax relief and impacting state tax policy through fiscal incentives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 2x pay for construction workers on Labor Day, directly increasing wage compensation and protecting workers' rights under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Labor Standards

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 407: RELATING TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

Expands the State's temporary disability insurance coverage to, and exempts from TDI benefit eligibility requirements that are employment-related, employees who are unable to perform their employment duties due to the employee's childbirth or provision of kangaroo care to, or expression of breast milk for, the employee's child who is required to stay in a neonatal intensive care unit. Extends under certain conditions the temporary disability benefit payment period and family leave period for employees who are unable to perform their employment duties due to a preterm birth of a child who is required to stay in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or birth of a child who is required to stay in a NICU for more than eight weeks. Defines "kangaroo care" and "preterm birth". Requires the Department of Health to amend its rules to include neonatal care as related condition where the phrase "pregnancy, childbirth, or other related condition" is used.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands TDI coverage exemptions for childbirth/NICU care, removing employment barriers and extending benefits - directly strengthens worker benefits during critical family health events.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Unemployment Workers' Compensation

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 1655: RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

HB 1655 allows public employers (like city or state agencies) and union representatives to negotiate specific retirement benefits for public employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. The bill removes barriers that previously prevented these parties from discussing certain retirement benefits during contract talks. It directly affects public employees in unionized roles and their employers, focusing on retirement plan terms rather than other benefits. The bill is currently pending committee review and has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves barriers to negotiating retirement benefits in collective bargaining, strengthening union negotiation power on employee benefits as specified in the bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees Retirement Benefits

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 2028: RELATING TO LABOR DAY.

HB 2028 establishes a nonrefundable tax credit for employers who provide a paid Labor Day holiday to construction workers. This policy directly affects construction employers (who may claim the credit) and construction workers (who receive a paid holiday). The key provision requires employers to grant a paid holiday on Labor Day to qualify for the tax credit, which is effective July 1, 3000. The bill passed committee in February 2026 with amendments but does not change existing Labor Day holiday requirements for other workers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes refundable tax credit for employers providing paid Labor Day to construction workers, directly providing tax relief aligned with fiscal support for middle-income workers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates tax credit for employers providing paid Labor Day holiday to construction workers, expanding worker benefits and advancing compensation standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Labor Standards

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 162: RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Hawaii State Fellows Program within the Department of Human Resources Development to match talented applicants with full-time, paid fellowship roles in various state agencies for a period of ten to eleven months. Establishes minimum qualifications and procedures for eligible applicants to apply to the program. Gives preference to eligible program applicants who have pre-existing ties to the State or a demonstrated commitment to long-term leadership in the State. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, to coordinate with state agencies to implement and promote the program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates paid workforce development fellowship program with preference for local applicants, advancing employment opportunities and workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1791: RELATING TO WAREHOUSE WORKERS.

Establishes the Warehouse Worker Protection Act. Requires certain warehouse employers to provide written descriptions of quotas to employees and maintain records of quotas and employee work speed data. Protects employees from quotas that would prevent compliance with meal or rest periods or the use of bathroom facilities. Allows employees to request a written description of their quota and employee work speed data. Requires the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules to implement the provisions of the Act.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates quota transparency, prohibits unsafe work speed quotas, and protects employees' right to meal/rest breaks per Warehouse Worker Protection Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Workplace Safety

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 2388: RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

SB 2388 allows public employers (like state or local government agencies) and employee unions representing bargaining units to negotiate specific retirement benefits. It directly affects public employees covered by collective bargaining agreements and their employers. The bill creates a formal process for these parties to discuss and agree on certain retirement terms, such as pension contributions or benefit structures. Currently pending in committee review, the bill has not yet been enacted into law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables collective bargaining over retirement benefits, strengthening worker pension negotiations under existing agreements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees Retirement Benefits

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