Labor & Employment

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 151: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO EVALUATE WAYS TO EXPAND REMOTE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR HAWAII RESIDENTS AND REDUCE BARRIERS THAT MAY DISCOURAGE OUT-OF-STATE EMPLOYERS FROM HIRING INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE IN THE STATE.

This bill asks Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study how to help more people living in Hawaii work remotely for companies based outside the state. The study would examine ways to make it easier for out-of-state employers to hire Hawaii residents by clarifying tax rules, simplifying registration requirements, and ensuring worker protections are maintained. The department must also consider policies that prioritize opportunities for long-term Hawaii residents and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This is a non-binding resolution that directs an evaluation rather than creating immediate new laws or regulations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to expand remote employment opportunities and reduce barriers for Hawaii residents, supporting workforce retention and economic diversification through improved hiring conditions.85% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 77: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESILIENCE TO SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S SECONDARY AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAM AND THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA PROGRAM.

This bill requests that the Hawaii Department of Education and the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience support the state's secondary agricultural education program and the Future Farmers of America youth organization. The resolution aims to strengthen agricultural workforce development by encouraging professional development for teachers and expanding educational opportunities in agriculture for high school students. It specifically suggests employing an extension agent at the university to provide outreach and connect best practices to local schools. The bill does not allocate funding but serves as a formal request for collaboration between state agencies and the university to address Hawaii's food security goals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly requests support for secondary agricultural education and FFA program, aiming to strengthen workforce development and expand educational opportunities for high school students.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill supports agricultural workforce development through education and teacher professional development, which strengthens future employment opportunities in agriculture.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Workforce Development Tags Agriculture

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 37: URGING ALL STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT TO IMPLEMENT PROMPT PAYMENT TRANSPARENCY MEASURES AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES FOR ITS EFFORTS.

This bill urges all state and county agencies in Hawaii that handle construction projects to create public websites showing payment details for contractors and subcontractors. It asks these agencies to display information about job progress, payments made, and any withheld funds within one year of the resolution's adoption. The measure also requests agencies that cannot comply to explain why, and it thanks the Public Works Division for its existing payment transparency efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility through payment transparency, which helps prevent government waste and ensures proper fund utilization in public works projects.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes payment transparency for contractors and subcontractors, protecting workers' right to timely payment and reducing wage theft risks in construction.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 151: URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE, STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, AND HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CREATE A HOUSING LADDER PROGRAM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GRADUATE INTO UNSUBSIDIZED HOUSING.

This Senate Resolution urges four state housing agencies in Hawaii to develop a housing ladder program designed to help individuals and families move from subsidized housing into non-subsidized, market-rate housing. The proposed program would include services such as financial counseling, workforce training, transitional rental assistance, and partnerships with private housing providers to support upward mobility. As a Senate Resolution, this bill does not create new laws or funding but instead requests that the agencies collaborate to create a plan and report their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill urges agencies to create housing ladder program helping individuals graduate to unsubsidized housing, strengthening housing assistance and upward mobility.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill includes workforce training as part of housing ladder program, which supports employment and worker development75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Housing Finance Workforce Development

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 119: REQUESTING THE CENTER FOR NURSING TO COMPILE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RECOMMENDED SAFE PATIENT STAFFING RATIOS FOR ALL NURSING SPECIALTIES AND SUBSPECIALTIES ACROSS ALL HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND TO MAINTAIN A REPOSITORY FOR THIS INFORMATION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to conduct a study compiling recommended safe patient staffing ratios for various hospital units and healthcare settings. The study will use existing state bills as a framework and incorporate guidelines from major professional nursing organizations, including those specializing in critical care, emergency, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing. The Center for Nursing is asked to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature and Department of Health by early 2027, with the goal of providing data to help healthcare facilities implement safer staffing levels.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests study on safe patient staffing ratios to improve healthcare quality and patient safety, aligning with support indicators for protecting patient rights and improving healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to establish safe patient staffing ratios, which directly improves workplace safety and protects nursing staff from burnout and injury risks.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 143: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO EVALUATE WAYS TO EXPAND REMOTE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR HAWAII RESIDENTS AND REDUCE BARRIERS THAT MAY DISCOURAGE OUT-OF-STATE EMPLOYERS FROM HIRING INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE IN THE STATE.

This bill is a House Resolution that asks Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study how to increase remote work opportunities for state residents and make it easier for out-of-state companies to hire them. The resolution directs the department to evaluate ways to clarify tax and regulatory rules for remote employers, simplify hiring processes, and ensure worker protections remain intact while prioritizing long-term Hawaii residents. The department must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027, and copies are sent to state leadership including the Governor and relevant agency directors.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill aims to expand remote employment opportunities and reduce barriers for hiring Hawaii residents, strengthening workforce retention and employment access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 131: URGING STATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES TO INCLUDE DEDICATED DAY CARE FACILITIES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN WHEN DESIGNING STATE BUILDINGS THAT WILL EMPLOY OR HOUSE TWO HUNDRED FIFTY OR MORE PERSONS.

This bill is a non-binding resolution that urges state departments and agencies to include dedicated day care facilities for both adults and children when designing state buildings that will employ or house 250 or more people. The resolution highlights Hawaii's high childcare costs and workforce shortages as reasons for encouraging state facilities to integrate care spaces, which could help address access issues for working families. It also recommends that state agencies explore partnerships with licensed providers to operate these services within larger state buildings. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create new laws or require specific actions but instead serves as a formal recommendation to state officials and various government leaders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes access to childcare and adult day care facilities within state buildings, addressing workforce shortages and healthcare access for working families.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill encourages state facilities to include childcare, addressing workforce shortages and helping working families access employment, indirectly supporting labor participation.75% confidence

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 105: REQUESTING THE CENTER FOR NURSING TO COMPILE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RECOMMENDED SAFE PATIENT STAFFING STRATEGIES AND RATIOS FOR ALL NURSING SPECIALTIES AND SUBSPECIALTIES ACROSS ALL HEALTH CARE SETTINGS, AND TO MAINTAIN A REPOSITORY FOR THIS INFORMATION.

This bill requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile and maintain a public list of recommended safe patient staffing ratios for all nursing specialties across various healthcare settings. The measure aims to address concerns about nurse workload and patient safety by gathering existing standards from other states and industry recommendations rather than setting new legal requirements. Healthcare facilities are urged to consider these compiled ratios when determining staffing levels, and the information will be made publicly available before the 2027 legislative session. The resolution focuses on creating a centralized resource to inform decision-making by providers, policymakers, and the public about staffing standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes patient safety by establishing recommended nursing staffing ratios, which improves healthcare quality and protects patient rights.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes nurse staffing safety standards, protecting worker well-being and patient care through recommended ratios rather than restrictive mandates.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 76: REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR TO EVALUATE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE DECENTRALIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT'S HIRING AND RECRUITMENT FUNCTIONS TO STATE DEPARTMENTS, DIVISIONS, AND AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE TRAINING OF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICERS OF STATE DEPARTMENTS, DIVISIONS, AND AGENCIES NECESSARY TO EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT THEIR HIRING AND RECRUITMENT FUNCTIONS.

This Senate Resolution asks the Governor to study whether Hawaii state agencies should manage their own hiring and recruitment instead of relying on the centralized Department of Human Resources Development. The bill addresses concerns that the current system causes long vacancies and staffing shortages, with over 4,000 positions vacant as of late 2025. If implemented, the proposed changes would allow individual departments to write job descriptions, review applicants, conduct interviews, and directly hire qualified candidates. The Governor must complete this evaluation and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not change current law but requests an administrative review of the hiring process.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill aims to reduce staffing shortages and vacancies by decentralizing hiring, improving recruitment efficiency and worker availability75% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 24, 2026

HCR 112: 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 bill requests the Department of Human Resources Development to work with state departments, agencies, and labor organizations to complete a comprehensive review of how civil service positions are classified and compensated. The measure focuses on addressing high vacancy rates and outdated job descriptions that make it difficult to recruit and retain employees. It directs the department to prioritize departments with the highest vacancy rates and difficult-to-fill positions during the review process. This is a procedural resolution that encourages collaboration to ensure recommendations are practical and aligned with long-term workforce needs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to improve civil service classification and compensation to address high vacancy rates, strengthening recruitment and retention of workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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