Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2114: RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Repeals the prohibition placed on certain employees exempt from Civil Service Law from grieving a suspension or discharge. Allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to grieve any disciplinary action, unless prohibited by the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRepeals prohibition preventing exempt employees from grieving disciplinary actions, expanding collective bargaining rights and grievance procedures per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2115: RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Amends the collective bargaining negotiation procedure on the repricing of classes within a bargaining unit for public employees. Establishes an impasse procedure to be applied when an employer fails to initiate the negotiation or the parties fail to reach an agreement within 90 days. Repeals existing law that requires a different impasse procedure to apply in those situations. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends collective bargaining procedures to establish clearer impasse resolution, strengthening public employees' negotiation rights and protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 2088: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE PLANS FOR WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, in consultation with the Insurance Commissioner, to establish and implement a five-year voluntary Nontraditional Workforce Portable Health Care Benefit Plan Pilot Program that offers high deductible health plans or catastrophic health plans to nontraditional workers who are ineligible for health benefits provided by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund or prepaid health care plans under the Prepaid Health Care Act. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates voluntary pilot program to provide high deductible/catastrophic health plans to nontraditional workers excluded from existing coverage, expanding access to health benefits.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates voluntary portable health benefits pilot for nontraditional workers ineligible for existing plans, expanding access to health care benefits as part of employment standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 815: RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires the health benefits plan or plans established by the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund board to meet or exceed the requirements of the Prepaid Health Care Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health plans to meet/exceed Prepaid Health Care Act standards, strengthening coverage requirements and patient protections.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employer-union health plans to meet/exceed Prepaid Health Care Act standards, strengthening worker benefits under labor-related trust funds.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1859: RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Requires the Workforce Development Council to recommend to the Governor, a comprehensive Statewide Workforce Strategy to inclusion in the State Unified Plan and be responsible for facilitating the alignment of workforce development efforts and programs conducted by state departments and agencies to achieve the State Unified Plan and the Comprehensive Statewide Workforce Strategy. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates comprehensive workforce strategy to align state programs, enhancing employment opportunities and workforce standards per bill's core purpose.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2153: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HB 2153 establishes the Kūpaʻa Law Enforcement Retention Bonus Program, which provides financial incentives to help retain law enforcement officers. The bill allocates state funds specifically for these retention bonuses, directly affecting eligible law enforcement officers in Hawaii. The key mechanism is the state appropriating dedicated funding to cover the bonus payments. This policy change creates a formal, funded program to support officer retention efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for law enforcement retention bonuses, directly increasing budgetary support for public safety services via appropriation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds Kūpaʻa Law Enforcement Retention Bonus Program to retain officers, directly supporting law enforcement within criminal justice through state-funded incentives.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides state-funded retention bonuses for law enforcement officers, expanding compensation benefits for this specific workforce group.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1967: RELATING TO PERMITTING.

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds permitting workforce pipeline via UH and community colleges, supporting higher education partnerships and workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates salary/benefits coordination for permitting workforce pipeline, directly addressing employment standards and funding through appropriations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 1659: RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Repeals the prohibition placed on certain employees exempt from Civil Service Law from grieving a suspension or discharge. Allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to grieve any disciplinary action, unless the collective bargaining agreement specifically provides otherwise. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRepeals prohibition on exempt employees' grievances, expanding collective bargaining rights and disciplinary appeal access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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