Bill > HB161

This bill modifies Hawaii's collective bargaining laws by removing a previous restriction that prevented certain employees exempted from civil service law (chapter 76) from grieving suspensions or discharges, unless their collective bargaining agreement specifically allowed it. The new language now permits any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit, including those previously excluded, to grieve a suspension or discharge. This change expands grievance rights for public employees, giving them a more consistent mechanism to challenge disciplinary actions. The bill maintains other existing provisions about grievance procedures, such as the requirement that disputes over initial or renewed agreement terms are not considered grievances, and that performance-related adverse actions can be decided by a performance judge. The legislative change will take effect on July 1, 3000, which appears to be a placeholder date typically used when the exact implementation date is yet to be determined.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=161&year=2026