Bill > SB3135

This bill authorizes the Department of Health to establish a three-year pilot program allowing eligible Department of Health employees to use their accrued vacation leave credits to help fund a down payment for their primary residence in Hawaii, without needing to leave their state employment. To qualify, employees must be at least 18 years old, a bona fide resident of Hawaii, not currently own a primary residence, and have been employed by the department for at least one year, among other criteria. The payout, which can range from $5,000 to $50,000, will be paid directly to the escrow, title, or lending company at closing, not to the employee as a lump sum. The program is designed to address the high cost of living and housing affordability issues that contribute to state employee vacancies and aims to improve recruitment and retention. The Department of Health is required to submit reports to the legislature on the pilot project's effectiveness, and the program is set to expire on June 30, 2029.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=3135&year=2026