Labor & Employment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1455: RELATING TO HAWAII RETIREMENT SAVINGS ACT.

Clarifies the definition of "covered employer" under the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act. Requires covered employers to automatically enroll covered employees into the Hawaii Retirement Savings Program unless the covered employee chooses to opt out. Effective upon approval.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires automatic enrollment in retirement savings program, expanding worker benefits and strengthening retirement security without opting out.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

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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

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 3282: RELATING TO THE WORKFORCE PELL GRANT PROGRAM.

Establishes a statewide framework for the implementation of the federal Workforce Pell Grant Program to provide financial aid for certain short-term workforce education and training programs. Establishes a Workforce Pell Grant Program Approval Committee within the Workforce Development Council. Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes state framework for federal workforce training grants, directly advancing job skills development under Labor & Employment policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 265: RELATING TO TEACHER RETENTION.

Establishes the Onipaʻa Teacher Bonus Program to address teacher retention and award teachers for outstanding and extended service in the department of education. Ensures that general education teachers assigned to special education inclusion classes receive the same additional benefits as special education teachers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes new teacher bonus program requiring state funding, directly increasing education budget allocation for retention.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes teacher bonus program for retention and equal benefits for inclusion teachers, directly advancing educator support and retention efforts in education policy.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes teacher bonus program and ensures equal benefits for general education teachers in special ed inclusion, expanding worker benefits and promoting equitable compensation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 461: RELATING TO WAGES.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to issue an order of wage payment violation to employers in violation of the State's Wages and Hour Law. Establishes penalties, enforcement, and appeal procedures related to orders of payment violations. Amends the definition of "wage" under the State's Wage and Hour Law to clarify that it means compensation for labor or services rendered by an employee regardless of how it is calculated.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires enforcement of wage laws via violation orders, penalties, and clarifies 'wage' definition to protect all compensation, strengthening worker rights under Wage and Hour Law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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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

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Gig Economy Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 186: RELATING TO MOTOR CARRIER VEHICLES.

SB 186 repeals existing inspection requirements for motor carrier vehicles, such as commercial trucks and buses. This change directly affects commercial transportation companies and drivers who currently must undergo mandatory vehicle inspections. The bill’s key provision removes these specific safety inspection mandates from state law, shifting regulatory focus away from routine vehicle checks. The bill is pending further committee review and has not yet become law.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRepealing mandatory vehicle safety inspections weakens workplace safety regulations for commercial drivers, directly contradicting labor safety protections.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRepeals mandatory safety inspections for commercial trucks/buses, weakening transportation safety standards per bill's key provision.95% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1346: RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Unit (1) 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 & TaxesAppropriates funds for public employee collective bargaining costs, increasing budget allocation for public employment. Explicitly addresses appropriations and expenditure ceiling within budget management context.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAppropriates funds for collective bargaining costs and negotiated salary adjustments for public employees, directly advancing labor negotiation rights and workplace compensation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 722: RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

HB 722 would allow workers who are on strike to receive unemployment benefits, directly affecting employees participating in labor disputes. Currently, striking workers are typically ineligible for these benefits, but this bill removes that exclusion. The key provision changes eligibility rules to include striking workers under the state's unemployment insurance program. The bill is currently pending in committee review for the 2026 session.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands unemployment benefits to striking workers, directly protecting labor rights and strengthening worker financial security during disputes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Unemployment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 520: RELATING TO TAXATION.

HB 520 would exempt tips received by employees from state income tax calculations, meaning tip income would no longer count toward an employee's taxable income. This directly affects service industry workers, such as servers and bartenders, who rely on tips as part of their earnings. The bill removes tips from gross income, adjusted gross income, and taxable income for state tax purposes. Currently pending in committee, the bill has not advanced beyond the referral stage in the 2025 session.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts service workers' tips from state income tax, providing direct tax relief for lower-income employees in the tipped industry.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts tips from state tax, increasing net earnings for tipped workers, directly supporting wage fairness and income stability for service industry employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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