Bill > SB1523

This bill aims to expand and protect private sector collective bargaining rights in Hawaii by broadening the definition of "employee" under the Hawaii Employment Relations Act. Specifically, the bill removes the previous exclusion of independent contractors from the definition of employees and includes all individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, regardless of whether the National Labor Relations Board has previously exercised jurisdiction over them. The legislature justifies this expansion by highlighting Hawaii's high union membership rate (24.1% in 2023) and the economic and workplace benefits of unionization, such as higher wages, improved worker safety, better health and retirement benefits, and reduced income inequality. The bill is also a proactive response to potential threats to collective bargaining rights through the federal "Project 2025" political initiative. To support the implementation of these expanded protections, the bill appropriates funds for the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to serve the newly protected employee population, with the changes set to take effect on July 1, 2050.

Justice, Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1523&year=2025