Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 340: RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

Clarifies that the Hawaii Labor Relations Board has the authority to enforce its own orders issued pursuant to state law governing collective bargaining in public employment, in addition to discretion to seek judicial enforcement of its orders under the Hawaii Employment Relations Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies HLRB's authority to enforce collective bargaining orders, strengthening public sector workers' rights under Hawaii Employment Relations Act.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 451: RELATING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

SB 451 would require the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid buy-in program, enabling working people with disabilities to maintain health coverage without losing Medicaid benefits when they earn income. This program would allow individuals to pay a portion of the cost to stay enrolled in Medicaid while working, rather than losing coverage as earnings increase. The bill is scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2050, but remains under review by the Health and Human Services committee. It directly affects working adults with disabilities who currently face coverage gaps when earning above Medicaid income limits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSB 451 creates a Medicaid buy-in program enabling working people with disabilities to maintain health coverage without losing benefits as income rises, directly expanding access to healthcare coverage for a vulnerable population.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables workers with disabilities to maintain Medicaid coverage while earning income, removing a barrier to employment and protecting health benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1287: RELATING TO TRANSPARENCY.

Requires under the State's wage compensation laws that food, beverage, and service establishments that accept tips and employ tipped employees post signs that include language explaining their tip allocation practices and the contact information for the Wage Standards Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Wage and Hours Division of the United States Department of Labor. Establishes back wages and penalties as available remedies for employees in the event of a violation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires transparency in tip allocation with remedies for violations, protecting workers' right to fair compensation under wage laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1057: RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Clarifies that the bid incentive given to bidders for public works construction projects who are parties to an apprenticeship agreement is based on apprenticeable trades utilized, rather than employed, to construct the public works. Requires the bidder and the bidder's subcontractors to be parties to all apprenticeable trades utilized to construct the project for which a state-approved apprenticeship program exists. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires contractors to use state-approved apprenticeships for public works, advancing workforce training and employment standards in skilled trades.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1503: RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to develop and implement training programs, public-private partnerships, funding opportunities, and recruitment strategies to develop a local workforce to meet the growing demand in defense-related personnel and promote economic diversification. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAppropriates funds for workforce training, public-private partnerships, and recruitment to develop local labor force, directly advancing employment standards and economic diversification.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 997: RELATING TO ENERGY.

Requires an attestation or declaration regarding project labor standards, including adherence to state-approved apprenticeship programs and prevailing wage requirements, for covered large-scale renewable energy generation projects. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires labor standards for renewable energy projects, facilitating development through apprenticeship/wage requirements, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires prevailing wage and state-approved apprenticeship adherence for renewable energy projects, strengthening labor standards and worker protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1417: RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKERS.

Specifies that intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a protective services worker who is engaged in the performance of the worker's duties is a class C felony. Clarifies that a protective services worker is a public servant for the purposes of section 707-716, HRS, Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for harming protective services workers, strengthening legal protections within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill classifies assaults on protective services workers as felonies, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for this specific worker group, aligning with labor safety indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 716: RELATING TO HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.

Expands the circumstances where the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations may waive the requirements for individuals to register to work and report to an employment office to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Authorize the Department to allow individuals to report to a location other than an employment office or other location approved pursuant to its rules. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires notices of determinations and documentation relating to appeals to be sent electronically, unless the election for mail is made. Allows an individual to change an elected withholding status more than once during a benefit year. Amends the statutory definition of "registered for work" or "registration for work". Repeals the requirement for individuals to post their work availability online to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Repeals the statutory provision for joint experience rating. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands waiver conditions for unemployment benefits access, reducing barriers to eligibility under Hawaii Employment Security Law.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1620: RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.

SB 1620 exempts natural hair braiders from state licensing requirements when operating under specific conditions. The bill directly affects individuals who provide natural hair braiding services, such as cornrows or locs, by removing a barrier to entry for this service. Key provisions establish that braiders meeting defined criteria - like completing training or adhering to hygiene standards - will not need a state license to practice. This change aims to reduce regulatory hurdles for braiders while maintaining safety standards. The bill passed committee recommendation on February 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves licensing barrier for natural hair braiders, reducing regulatory hurdles to enter workforce and aligns with worker access to employment opportunities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 327: RELATING TO INTERNSHIPS.

Permits the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to enter into contracts with eligible employers or registered apprenticeship programs in the private sector to provide on-the-job training to eligible interns. Provides that the State shall be the responsible employer for purposes of workers' compensation coverage for students or recent graduates in the on-the-job-training work experience program, subject to certain limitations. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for internship program, directly allocating budget resources to fund workforce development initiative per bill's explicit language.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures workers' compensation coverage for interns via state responsibility, strengthening workplace safety protections and funding workforce development programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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