Labor & Employment

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2506: RELATING TO THE MINIMUM WAGE.

Amends the minimum monthly guaranteed compensation an individual must earn to be exempt from certain wage and hour requirements. Requires the minimum wage to increase to $18.00 per hour beginning 1/1/2027, instead of 1/1/2028. Increases the minimum wage on 1/1/2028, 1/1/2029, and 1/1/2030. Prohibits tipped employees from being paid less than the minimum wage. Beginning on 9/30/2030, and on September 30 of each year thereafter, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to calculate an adjusted minimum wage rate.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases minimum wage to $18/hr by 2027, prohibits sub-minimum wage for tipped employees, and mandates annual adjustments - directly advancing worker compensation protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 931: RELATING TO PRIVATE SECTOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS.

Expands the types of employees protected by the Hawaii Employment Relations Act to include independent contractors and all individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands collective bargaining protections to independent contractors and NLRB-jurisdiction individuals, strengthening worker rights to organize and bargain collectively.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Gig Economy

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1401: RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Reduces the minimum number of years of credited service qualified Tier 2 Employees' Retirement System members must have to be eligible for vested benefit status for service retirement allowance purposes from ten years to five years. Increases employer contributions to offset the resulting liability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases employer contributions to offset retirement liability, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReduces service years for retirement vesting, expanding access to benefits. Employer contributions increase to offset cost, strengthening worker benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

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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

Sub-Topics Unemployment

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 1036: RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (10) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides state appropriations for public employee salary adjustments and collective bargaining costs, directly increasing government spending on personnel within budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds collective bargaining salary adjustments for public sector bargaining units, directly supporting workers' collective bargaining rights and wage negotiations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget Collective Bargaining

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 325: RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Prohibits an employer from discriminating against a person in hiring, termination, or any term or condition of employment based on the person's status as a medical cannabis registry card holder, under certain conditions. Authorizes an employer to use a fit-for-duty test for medical cannabis qualifying patients in potentially dangerous occupations. Exempts certain occupations. Effective July 1, 3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects medical cannabis patients from employment discrimination, enabling access to healthcare without job loss, aligning with patient rights and access indicators.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employment discrimination against medical cannabis patients in hiring/termination, directly protecting workers' rights under labor & employment standards.90% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 498: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.

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

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for agricultural workforce housing program, directly advancing state budget allocation for housing needs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group with funding to address housing shortage for agricultural workers, directly advancing affordable housing access.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAddresses agricultural workforce housing shortages via working group and funding, improving living conditions and safety for workers, a key employment condition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2510: RELATING TO TAXATION.

HB 2510 creates an income tax credit for employers who provide paid family and medical leave to their employees. The bill directly affects businesses that offer this benefit, reducing their state income tax liability based on the leave provided. Key provisions establish a specific credit amount tied to the cost of providing paid leave, incentivizing employers to adopt such policies without mandating it. This policy change modifies tax incentives to encourage broader employer-sponsored leave coverage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for employers offering paid leave, reducing state tax liability to incentivize policy adoption. Directly modifies tax incentives as a fiscal tool.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncentivizes employer-provided medical leave, improving access to healthcare services by reducing financial barriers for employees seeking treatment.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentTax credit incentivizes employers to provide paid family/medical leave, directly expanding worker benefits without mandating it.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Paid Leave

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 2587: RELATING TO LABOR.

Clarifies the employment status of certain delivery drivers under state laws related to workers' compensation, wage and hour, temporary disability insurance, family leave, tax classification of business relationships, and unemployment insurance by establishing conditions under which delivery drivers are deemed employees of the business operating the delivery program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClassifies delivery drivers as employees, extending wage, benefits, and safety protections under labor laws rather than contractor status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Gig Economy Labor Standards

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1546: RELATING TO RETIRED TEACHERS.

Requires retirants rehired as teachers or administrators in teacher shortage areas or in difficult-to-fill positions to be paid at least the minimum salary for their experience and qualifications. Prohibits rehired retirants from receiving additional employment benefits. Directs the Department of Education to adopt rules to identify teacher shortage areas and difficult-to-fill positions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires minimum salary for rehired retired teachers in shortage areas, directly supporting teacher compensation and retention in critical education roles.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires minimum salary for rehired retirees, protecting wage rights while prohibiting extra benefits. Directly advances compensation standards for this workforce.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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