SR 138 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

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 Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a comprehensive review of state civil service job descriptions and classifications to modernize the workforce and improve recruitment and retention. The review will assess whether current job descriptions accurately reflect today's duties and skills, evaluate classification structures for outdated or fragmented categories, and analyze salary competitiveness against private and public sector markets. Additionally, the resolution explores the potential use of artificial intelligence tools to assist in analyzing job data, with strict safeguards ensuring human oversight and compliance with civil service protections. The department is asked to consult with employees and unions, develop implementation recommendations, and submit a final report to the Legislature by early 2027.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 16, 2026 Last action May 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SR138 → SR138_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated to include a co-sponsor and shifted its focus from a general overhaul of job descriptions to a specific review of class specifications and minimum qualifications. The scope was narrowed to explicitly include recommendations for a phased modernization plan, and the language regarding cost of living was changed from specific to general. Several internal tracking numbers and dates were also updated to reflect the new version.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed and clarified to focus on 'class specifications' and 'minimum qualifications' rather than just 'job descriptions,' and it now explicitly requests a plan for phased implementation.

SCOPE

The bill's subject matter was refined from a broad review of job descriptions to a specific review of class specifications and minimum qualifications.

REQUIREMENT

The bill now explicitly requests the department to develop a 'phased modernization implementation plan' as part of its review.

The requirement to consider 'Hawaii's' cost of living was changed to the more general 'State's cost of living'.

TECHNICAL

A new co-sponsor, Megan O'Brien-Rene, was added, and the bill title was updated to indicate it applies to both Senate District and House District members.

Internal tracking metadata, including revision numbers, dates, and template identifiers, were updated to reflect the new version of the bill.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from LBT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3440) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Mar 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in LBT were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Lamosao, Moriwaki; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Ihara, Fevella.

upper

Mar 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on LBT has scheduled a public hearing on 03-27-26 3:01PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred to LBT.

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

Offered.

upper

6 primary · 0 co-sponsors