RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Labor

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: SAYAMA, ILAGAN, KUSCH, LEE, M., MARTEN, OLDS, TARNAS
Last action: 2026-03-03
Official status: The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not mention the requirement for writing down rules for handling complaints in agreements.

Rules for Employee Complaints

This bill changes the rules about how certain government workers can complain if they are disciplined by their bosses.

What This Bill Does

Removes a rule that stops some employees from complaining about being suspended or fired.
Allows all members of a bargaining unit to file complaints about any kind of punishment, unless their agreement says otherwise.

Who It Names or Affects

Government workers who are part of a bargaining unit
Employers who have employees covered by this bill

Terms To Know

Collective Bargaining Agreement: A written agreement between employers and employee representatives about working conditions.
Bargaining Unit: A group of employees who are represented by a union or other organization in talks with their employer.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if an employee's agreement prohibits filing complaints.
It is unclear when the changes will actually start because the effective date is set for July 1, 3000, which seems to be a placeholder.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: This amendment changes the rules about when certain public employees can file grievances over disciplinary actions, allowing more employees to challenge suspensions or discharges unless their agreement says otherwise.

Removes a restriction that prevented some exempt employees from filing grievances over suspensions or discharges.
Allows any employee in an appropriate bargaining unit to file a grievance for disciplinary action, including suspension or discharge, unless the collective bargaining agreement specifically prevents it.

The amendment's effective date of July 1, 3000, is likely a placeholder and not intended as a real future date.

Bill History

2026-03-03 H
The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
2026-02-27 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-03-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-02-17 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lee, M., Poepoe excused (3).
2026-02-17 H
Reported from LAB (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 277-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
2026-02-10 H
The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Lee, M., Garrett, Kapela, Kong, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-02-05 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by LAB on Tuesday, 02-10-26 9:30AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-26 H
Referred to LAB, JHA, referral sheet 1
2026-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-20 H
Prefiled.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
Collective Bargaining; Grievance Procedure; Suspension; Discharge; Discipline; Exempt Employees
Repeals the prohibition placed on certain employees exempt from Civil Service Law from grieving a suspension or discharge. Allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to grieve any disciplinary action, unless the collective bargaining agreement specifically provides otherwise. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1659

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1659

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to collective bargaining
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION
1
.
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Section 89-10.8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by amending its title and subsection (a) to read as follows:

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"[
[
]
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89-10.8[
]
]
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Resolution of disputes; grievances.
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(a)
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A
public employer shall enter into written agreement with the exclusive
representative setting forth a grievance procedure culminating in a final and
binding decision, to be invoked in the event of any dispute concerning the
interpretation or application of a written agreement.
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The grievance procedure shall be valid and
enforceable and shall be consistent with the following:

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(1)
�
A
dispute over the terms of an initial or renewed agreement shall not constitute
a grievance;

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(2)
�
[
No
employee in a position exempted from chapter 76, who serves at the pleasure of
the appointing authority, shall be allowed to grieve a suspension or discharge
unless the collective bargaining agreement specifically provides otherwise;
]

Any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit shall be
allowed to grieve any disciplinary action, including but not limited to a
suspension or disciplinary discharge;
and

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(3)
�
With
respect to any adverse action resulting from an employee's failure to meet
performance requirements of the employee's position, the grievance procedure
shall provide that the final and binding decision shall be made by a
performance judge as provided in this section."

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SECTION 2.
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Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 3.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Collective
Bargaining; Grievance Procedure; Suspension; Discharge; Discipline; Exempt
Employees

Description:

Repeals
the prohibition placed on certain employees exempt from Civil Service Law from
grieving a suspension or discharge.
�

Allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to
grieve any disciplinary action.
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The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.