Labor & Employment

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 2091: RELATING TO PETITIONS TO TEMPORARILY RESTRAIN AND ENJOIN HARASSMENT OF AN EMPLOYEE.

Establishes a two-year pilot project to authorize public employers to petition for temporary restraining orders and injunctions against employment-related harassment of certain public employees. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAuthorizes public employers to seek legal remedies against harassment, directly protecting public employees' workplace safety and rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 2324: RELATING TO THE HAWAII OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LAW.

Repeals the requirement that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations regulate hoisting machines and certify their operators and the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board, including its rules requiring a separate state crane operator certificate. Allows additional time for the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to complete an investigation of a discharge or discrimination complaint pertaining to employees exercising rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Law without formal extension. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends investigation time for OSHA complaint cases, strengthening worker protection under safety law by allowing more time to address discharge/discrimination claims.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 104: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN COMPLETING THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION SYSTEMS FOR ALL CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION.

This resolution asks the Department of Human Resources Development to work with state agencies and labor groups to finish reviewing how state jobs are classified and paid. The request focuses on addressing high vacancy rates and outdated pay structures that make it hard to hire and keep workers. It directs the department to prioritize departments with the most open positions and difficult-to-fill roles. This is a procedural request rather than a new law, aiming to improve the state's workforce planning process.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill aims to improve workforce stability by addressing high vacancy rates and outdated pay structures through comprehensive review and collaboration with labor organizations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 100: REQUESTING THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR, FOR INCLUSION IN THE STATE UNIFIED PLAN, A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE WORKFORCE STRATEGY TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE OF THE STATE HAVE A PATHWAY TO A CAREER THAT ENABLES THEM TO LEARN, WORK, AND THRIVE IN THE STATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO A VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY VALUES BY 2045.

This bill asks the Workforce Development Council to create a long-term statewide workforce strategy aimed at helping all residents find careers that allow them to live and work in Hawaii by 2045. The proposed plan would be included in the State Unified Plan and would coordinate efforts across state and county agencies to improve job opportunities, increase work-based learning programs for youth, and expand living-wage employment. The strategy would also establish specific goals and metrics to track progress in reducing underemployment and improving job quality throughout the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes workforce development, career pathways, and living-wage employment, strengthening labor opportunities and worker well-being.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 92: REQUESTING THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR, FOR INCLUSION IN THE STATE UNIFIED PLAN, A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE WORKFORCE STRATEGY TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE OF THE STATE HAVE A PATHWAY TO A CAREER THAT ENABLES THEM TO LEARN, WORK, AND THRIVE IN THE STATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO A VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY VALUES BY 2045.

This House Resolution requests the Workforce Development Council to develop a comprehensive statewide workforce strategy by 2045 to ensure all residents have access to careers that allow them to learn, work, and thrive in Hawaii. The bill directs the Council to recommend this strategy to the Governor for inclusion in the State Unified Plan, aiming to address concerns about high living costs, limited job opportunities, and youth unemployment. The proposed strategy must include specific plans and metrics for improving work-based learning, expanding living-wage jobs, reducing underemployment, and strengthening industry partnerships. This resolution focuses on creating a long-term framework to unify state and county workforce efforts under common goals and priorities.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes comprehensive workforce strategy to ensure all residents have access to careers, addressing unemployment and economic opportunities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 42: RECOGNIZING OPEN WATER LIFEGUARDS AS FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII.

This House Resolution formally recognizes open water lifeguards in Hawaii as first responders, acknowledging their specialized training and critical role in emergency response. The bill highlights that these professionals are among the first to arrive at beach emergencies, providing medical aid, rescue services, and scene security similar to police and firefighters. While the resolution does not create new legal requirements, it urges state and county agencies to grant lifeguards the same rights, resources, and professional respect afforded to other first responders. The measure also encourages collaboration among public safety agencies to improve emergency response capabilities across Hawaii's ocean and shoreline environments.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill recognizes lifeguards as first responders, potentially expanding their rights and protections similar to other emergency workers, which aligns with protecting worker status and benefits.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1572: RELATING TO AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to: (1) Establish a Restorative Aquaculture Development Program to reduce aquaculture permit processing time, support aquaculture infrastructure expansion, increase the aquaculture workforce, and pursue federal aquaculture grants; (2) Establish three pilot demonstration sites for restorative aquaculture; and (3) Convene a Restorative Aquaculture Advisory Council. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2030. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly increases aquaculture workforce via Restorative Aquaculture Development Program and lists 'Workforce Development' as a subject, directly advancing employment growth in the sector.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2007: RELATING TO THE HOUSEHOLD AND DEPENDENT CARE SERVICES TAX CREDIT.

Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that is used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit. Establishes certain disallowance periods following a final decision that a claim for the credit was due to fraud and that the claim was disallowed. Extends the sunset date of the temporary increase in maximum employment-related expenses that are used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit, established by Act 163, SLH 2023, to 6/30/2030. Sunsets 6/30/2030. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit benefits by raising applicable percentage and extending credit duration, providing tax relief for households with dependent care expenses.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands tax credit for dependent care expenses, reducing worker costs and supporting workforce participation through employment-related benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2387: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION MEDICAL BENEFITS.

Expands workers' compensation medical benefits for firefighters to include coverage for adenocarcinoma or mesothelioma of the respiratory system; cancer of the buccal cavity, cervix, colon, esophagus, ovary, pharynx, skin, female reproductive organs, including the uterus, endometrium, and fallopian tubes, and thyroid; and malignant melanoma. Specifies that an employer may deny medical benefits under workers' compensation law only if they prove that the cancer or disease was not associated with firefighting duties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands workers' comp medical coverage for firefighters to include specific cancers, strengthening healthcare access for affected workers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' comp medical benefits for firefighters to cover job-related cancers, strengthening occupational illness protections and coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1604: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAppropriates funds for Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group to address housing shortages, directly advancing affordable housing access for a specific workforce.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAddresses agricultural workforce housing shortages, supporting employment standards by improving living conditions for workers.65% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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