Read the full stored bill text
HB2153
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
2153
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to law enforcement
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
����
SECTION
1.
�
The legislature finds that sworn law
enforcement personnel of the department of law enforcement perform statewide
public safety functions that are essential to the protection of life, property,
and the rule of law throughout the State.
�
These functions include providing law enforcement services at the
courts, the Hawaii state capitol, airports, and harbors, as well as conducting
cyber investigations, agricultural enforcement, fireworks enforcement, warrant
service, evictions, and participation in joint state and federal task force
operations.
�
The department's
responsibilities are specialized, high-risk, and statewide in scope, requiring
advanced training, certification, and operational readiness.
����
The
legislature further finds that significant disparities in compensation exist
between sworn personnel employed by the department of law enforcement and
similarly situated sworn officers employed by county police departments.
�
These disparities have created a persistent
and growing gap in pay for comparable training, certification, risk exposure,
and professional responsibility.
����
The
legislature recognizes that the department of law enforcement competes in the
same labor market for qualified sworn officers but is constrained by salary
structures that are materially lower than those offered by county police
departments.
�
As a result, the department
faces increasing difficulty in recruiting new officers, retaining experienced
personnel, and preventing the loss of trained staff to higher-paying law
enforcement agencies.
�
This turnover
diminishes institutional knowledge, increases overtime and training costs, and
weakens the continuity and effectiveness of statewide law enforcement
operations.
����
The
legislature additionally finds that recruiting and retaining sworn personnel is
particularly challenging given Hawaii's high cost of living, demanding work
conditions, and the specialized nature of the department's mission.
�
Without targeted intervention, the department
will continue to experience staffing instability that threatens operational
readiness and public safety.
����
Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to establish, and appropriate funds for, the kūpa
ʻ
a law enforcement retention
bonus program to provide law enforcement officers retention bonuses.
����
SECTION
2.
�
(a)
�
There is established the k
ūpa
ʻ
a law enforcement retention bonus
program within the department of law enforcement to promote recruitment,
retention, and continuity of service within the department of law enforcement
by providing law enforcement officers retention bonuses.
����
(b)
�
Beginning July 1, 2026, the program shall
provide a retention bonus of $15,000 to any law enforcement officer appointed
pursuant to section 353C-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, who:
����
(1)
�
Is a full-time employee of the department of
law enforcement;
����
(2)
�
Is vested with law enforcement authority under
state law; and
����
(3)
�
Has worked a minimum of two thousand hours
during the preceding fiscal year; provided that this minimum hour requirement
shall include regular duty hours and approved overtime, sick leave, and
vacation leave.
����
(c)
�
The department of law enforcement may change
any of the requirements established pursuant to subsection (b) each fiscal year
for the duration of the program.
����
(d)
�
The retention bonus awarded pursuant to this
section shall be a:
����
(1)
�
Non-base, non-pensionable payment that is not
included in the calculation of base salary, retirement benefits, or any other
salary-based benefit; and
����
(2)
�
One-time payment awarded in addition to a law
enforcement officer's regular salary.
����
(e)
�
The department of law enforcement shall maintain
records related to the program, including:
����
(1)
�
The number of law enforcement officers
receiving retention bonuses;
����
(2)
�
The years of service of the law enforcement
officers receiving retention bonuses;
����
(3)
�
The assignment categories of the law
enforcement officers receiving retention bonuses; and
����
(4)
�
Any other information the department of law
enforcement deems necessary to administer the program.
����
The
department of law enforcement shall provide the information maintained pursuant
to this subsection in aggregate form and shall not disclose personally
identifiable information.
����
(f)
�
The department of law enforcement may adopt
rules, pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, necessary to administer
the kūpa
ʻ
a law
enforcement retention bonus program.
����
(g)
�
The department of law enforcement shall
submit a report to the legislature no later than December 1, 2028, evaluating
the effectiveness of the kūpa
ʻ
a
law enforcement retention bonus program.
�
The report shall include, at minimum:
����
(1)
�
The records collected pursuant to subsection
(e);
����
(2)
�
Data regarding changes in vacancy rates,
turnover, and average length of service among law enforcement officers during
the program's implementation;
����
(3)
�
An assessment of the program's impact on
recruitment, retention, and operation readiness;
����
(4)
�
A fiscal analysis comparing costs of the
program with savings or cost avoidance attributable to reduced overtime,
reduced training and onboarding of new law enforcement officers, and improved
workforce stability; and
����
(5)
�
Any recommendations regarding the extension,
modification, or termination of the program.
����
(h)
�
The kūpa
ʻ
a
law enforcement retention bonus program shall end on June 30, 2028; provided
that any obligations properly incurred prior may be paid.
����
SECTION
3.
�
There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the kūpa
ʻ
a law enforcement retention
bonus program.
����
The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the department of law enforcement for the
purposes of this Act.
����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Kūpa
ʻ
a Law Enforcement Retention Bonus
Program; Retention Bonuses; Law Enforcement Officers; Department of Law
Enforcement; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes,
and appropriates funds for, the Kūpa
ʻ
a Law Enforcement Retention Bonus Program
to provide law enforcement officers retention bonuses.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.