Bill > HB618

This bill proposes a one-time hazard pay bonus for state employees in Hawaii who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically targeting workers in bargaining units 5, 6, and 7, as well as their excluded counterparts. The legislation recognizes these employees' critical service and increased health risks during the pandemic, providing financial compensation to acknowledge their contributions. The bill would appropriate funds from the state's general revenues for fiscal year 2025-2026, with specific allocations for each bargaining unit and their excluded equivalents. To be eligible for the bonus, employees must have been working in these units during a specific time period during the pandemic (the exact dates are not specified in the bill text). The bonuses will be distributed by the director of finance to the appropriate state departments, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025. Bargaining units in this context refer to groups of state employees organized for collective bargaining purposes, with units 5, 6, and 7 likely representing different types of state workers such as blue-collar, white-collar, or specialized professional employees.

Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=618&year=2026