Labor & Employment

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 2165: RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.

Amends the qualifications for unemployed individuals who are able to receive unemployment benefits. Beginning 4/1/2027, removes the two-year limitation on the recoupment of overpayments and limits the amount of overpaid amount and the penalty assessment amount that can be deducted from future benefits payable to the individual. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to assess and collect a service charge for dishonored unemployment insurance assessments. Beginning 4/1/2027, specifies that employers must report separation and wage information within five calendar days of notice being sent, whether by mail or electronic notification. Beginning 4/1/2027, increases the penalty for failure to report separations or wages and for failure to file or for filing insufficient wage reports. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRemoves two-year overpayment recoupment limit and adds service charges, tightening eligibility and increasing costs for unemployment recipients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 11: REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND GENDER IDENTITY IN EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, EDUCATION, FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS, CREDIT, AND JURY SERVICE.

This Hawaii Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 11) requests the U.S. Congress to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to add explicit protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It seeks to prohibit such discrimination in key areas including employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service. The resolution directly affects LGBTQ+ individuals who currently lack comprehensive federal protections in these contexts. Hawaii already provides similar state-level protections (through Act 40, 2022), but this resolution urges federal action to create uniform nationwide safeguards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly requests federal prohibition of housing discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender identity, directly advancing tenant protections per topic description.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly requests federal prohibition of employment discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender identity, directly strengthening workplace protections for LGBTQ+ workers.95% confidence

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 2391: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Provides annual salary step increases for public schools and public charter school teachers who have completed one year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements, if negotiated into a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to section 89-9, HRS, and subject to funds appropriated by the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides annual salary increases for public school teachers under collective bargaining, directly supporting educator compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides annual salary increases for teachers via collective bargaining, directly advancing wages and labor rights under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Teachers Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2032: RELATING TO TAXATION.

PART II: Exempts the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs from the general excise tax. PART III: Removes the state income tax on unemployment compensation benefits. PART IV: Doubles the standard deduction for individuals earning less than $100,000 and joint filers earning less than $200,000. Repeals the incremental increases on standard income tax deduction amounts. PART V: Increases the maximum adjusted gross income allowed to qualify for the low-income household renters' income tax credit and increases the credit amount. PART VI: Repeals the incremental changes to income tax brackets and removes the tax liability for the first $100,000 of individual income earned.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts groceries/nonprescription drugs from tax, removes income tax on unemployment benefits, doubles standard deductions for lower/middle-income earners, and increases low-income renters' tax credit.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves tax on unemployment benefits and increases tax deductions for low/middle-income earners, directly supporting workers' financial stability and reducing tax burden on employment income.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Sales Tax Unemployment Workers' Compensation

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2706: RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes a five-year Agriculture and Biosecurity Workforce Development Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii's Leeward Community College and the Department of Human Resources Development. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes workforce development pilot program to train agricultural/biosecurity workers, enhancing job readiness and employment opportunities through education partnerships.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1172: RELATING TO EMPLOYER HEALTH CARE REQUIREMENTS.

SB 1172 requires all health insurers in the state, including Medicaid managed care programs, to include dental and vision treatment as part of standard coverage. This directly affects health insurers by expanding their mandated benefits to cover these services, which were previously not required. The bill would ensure that people enrolled in these health plans receive dental and vision care without needing separate coverage or additional out-of-pocket costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mandated health coverage to include dental/vision care, eliminating separate plans and out-of-pocket costs for enrollees, directly advancing access to comprehensive health services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands mandated health benefits to include dental/vision coverage, directly enhancing employee health benefits under employment standards without additional costs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2370: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE IX OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION RELATING TO WAGE EQUITY.

Proposes an amendment to Article IX of the Hawaii State Constitution to guarantee that every person has the inalienable right, while engaged in employment in the State, to be paid at a wage rate that is at least equal to the state minimum wage rate, as provided by law, without regard to the type or nature of employment, unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill guarantees constitutional right to minimum wage for all workers, strengthening wage equity and protecting workers' rights without exceptions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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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

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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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

Sub-Topics Medicaid Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 402: RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Establishes notice requirements for employers under Hawaii's Workers' Compensation Law. Requires employers who deny the compensability of an employee's injury to submit a written report supporting the denial to the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations within a specified period. Requires employers to furnish to the injured employee up to $10,000 for medical care, services, and supplies for the period immediately following the injury and so long as reasonably needed or until the employer files a written report with the Director denying the compensability of the injury, whichever is earlier. Clarifies that failure to give an employer notice of an employee's injury does not bar a claim for compensation if any person having authority in the interest of the employer had knowledge of the injury.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires employers to provide medical care coverage up to $10k for work injuries, directly supporting medical benefits under workers' compensation.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employers to provide medical coverage and submit written denials, strengthening worker access to benefits under workers' compensation law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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