Labor & Employment

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1221: RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Requires a bidder and their subcontractors for certain public works construction contracts to utilize apprentices if the bidder receives a bidding advantage for being a party to an apprenticeship agreement registered with the State at the time of general bidding and is awarded the contract. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires apprenticeship use in public works contracts, promoting workforce development and training opportunities for workers through procurement incentives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1851: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes an apprenticeship program income tax credit for certain qualified costs incurred by a taxpayer for a qualified apprenticeship program. Sunsets 12/31/2036. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes tax credit for apprenticeship programs, providing targeted tax relief to encourage workforce development and economic growth within state fiscal framework.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentTax credit incentivizes apprenticeship programs, advancing workforce development and employment opportunities, aligning with Labor & Employment support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Apprenticeships

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 182: RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Permanently increases the state earned income tax credit to fifty per cent of the federal earned income tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPermanently increases state EITC to 50% of federal credit, providing tax relief to lower-income earners per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPermanently increases state EITC to 50% of federal credit, directly expanding financial support for low-income workers and advancing income security.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 567: RELATING TO TAXATION.

HB 567 would allow tipped employees, such as restaurant servers and bartenders, to deduct their tips from their taxable income when filing state taxes. This means these workers could lower their state tax bill by subtracting the tips they earn from their total income before calculating taxes. The bill directly affects service industry workers who rely on tips as part of their income. It provides a specific tax deduction mechanism to reduce their overall tax burden.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows tipped workers to deduct tips from taxable income, providing direct tax relief for lower-income service industry employees.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows tipped workers to deduct tips from taxable income, reducing tax burden and increasing take-home pay for service industry employees.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 2164: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

HB 2164 defines "compounded prescription drugs" specifically for workers' compensation claims. This bill directly affects injured workers seeking medical coverage and insurers processing those claims. It establishes a clear legal definition to determine which custom-mixed medications qualify for coverage under workers' compensation law. This clarification aims to reduce disputes over medication eligibility in injury claims. The bill does not change existing coverage rules but provides a precise standard for applying them.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies coverage for compounded prescription drugs in workers' comp, reducing disputes and supporting access to necessary medications for injured workers under healthcare coverage.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies medication coverage under workers' comp, reducing disputes for injured workers. Ensures access to necessary medical treatments without changing existing benefit rules.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2295: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING.

Raises the ceiling for the prevailing wages exemption on public works construction projects from $2,000 to $5,000 for governmental contracting agencies. Creates exemption to contractors licensing laws for public works construction projects valued up to $5,000 for governmental contracting agencies.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRaises prevailing wage exemption ceiling from $2k to $5k, reducing wage requirements for small public works projects and weakening worker wage protections.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 327: RELATING TO STATE CHILDCARE.

HB 327 allocates state funds to create a childcare center for state employees and their families, managed by the Office of the Governor. The bill directs the Governor's office to establish this facility, which would provide childcare services directly to eligible state workers. It appropriates the necessary funding to operate the center, effective July 1, 3000 (a date likely intended as a placeholder). This policy change creates a new childcare resource specifically for state employees, without altering existing childcare programs or funding for other groups.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds to establish a new childcare center, directly increasing budget allocation for a public service program.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides state-funded childcare for employees, directly supporting workforce retention and work-life balance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1153: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 1153 would remove tips earned by employees from state income tax calculations, meaning workers would not pay state income tax on money received as tips. This directly affects service industry workers, such as those in restaurants or hospitality, who rely on tip income. The bill achieves this by excluding tip-derived gross income, adjusted gross income, and taxable income from state tax computations. The policy change simplifies tax reporting for these employees by treating tips as non-taxable income under state law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes tips from taxable income for service workers, reducing tax burden on lower-income employees per tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExcludes tips from state income tax, increasing take-home pay for service workers. Directly protects workers' financial rights in labor sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Minimum Wage

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 165: RELATING TO THE HAWAII LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.

HB 165 authorizes Hawaii's Labor Relations Board to enforce its own orders directly, without requiring court intervention. This directly affects employers and unions in labor disputes subject to the board's rulings. The key provision eliminates the need for external enforcement, allowing the board to implement its decisions more efficiently. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 3000.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables direct enforcement by Labor Relations Board, strengthening timely resolution of labor disputes without court delays, advancing worker protections in collective bargaining.90% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2320: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Kuleana AgTech Pathways Program to create career pipelines in the fields of agriculture and agricultural technology. Requires the University of Hawaii to collaborate with the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and appropriate community organizations to develop and administer the program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes AgTech career pathways program with DOE collaboration, appropriates funds for educational pipeline development, directly advancing K-12/higher education opportunities in agricultural fields.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates agtech career pathways with DLIR collaboration, funding workforce development in agriculture sector to advance employment opportunities.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds AgTech career pathways via University of Hawaii collaboration, directly advancing agricultural technology sector through program development and appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track