Letter dated April 9, 2026, transmitting a proposed conference draft amending H.B. No. 2272, H.D. 1, S.D. 1 to fund the arbitration award concerning Collective Bargaining Unit 11.

This bill provides emergency funding to pay for a legal arbitration award related to the Hawai'i Firefighters Association. It directs state general and special funds to cover specific salary increases, fringe benefits, and health insurance costs for firefighters in Collective Bargaining Unit 11 over the next two fiscal years. The legislation also allocates money to ensure that state officers and employees excluded from the union but on similar pay scales receive matching adjustments. Ultimately, the bill authorizes the release of approximately $3.6 million in current funds and outlines estimated costs for future years to settle the dispute.