RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

SB2201

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2201

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to workforce development
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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The Hawaii Revised
Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:

"
Chapter

Hawaii
state fellows program

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� -1
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Definitions.
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As used in this chapter:

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"Department" means the department
of human resources development.

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"Program" means the Hawaii state
fellows program.

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"State agency" means the
executive, legislative, or judicial branches of state government, including
departments, offices, divisions, or other agencies within the executive,
legislative, or judicial branches.

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�
Hawaii state fellows program; established.
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(a)
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There is established within the department the Hawaii state fellows
program to match talented applicants with full-time, paid fellowship roles in
various state agencies for a period of ten to eleven months to attract and
retain government workers in the State.

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(b)
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The program shall include but not be limited to the following:

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(1)
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Full-time,
paid employment opportunities for eligible applicants to work on a broad range
of public policy issues and projects within various state agencies for a period
of ten to eleven months;

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(2)
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Career
and leadership skills development trainings, workshops, and seminars;

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(3)
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A
mentorship program structure; and

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(4)
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Feedback
and evaluation mechanisms to allow fellows, participating state agencies, and
other stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of the program in achieving its
goals.

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(c)
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The department shall coordinate with state
agencies to:

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(1)
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Establish
full-time, paid fellowship roles to be offered through the program to provide
professional development and hands-on experience in state governance;

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(2)
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Establish
administrative policies and procedures for the implementation of the program
and the integration of fellowship roles into the state government workflow;

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(3)
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Promote
the program; and

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(4)
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Recruit
eligible applicants.

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(d)
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The department shall adopt rules pursuant to
chapter 91 necessary for the purposes of this chapter.

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Hawaii state fellows program; minimum
qualifications; preference.
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(a)
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To be eligible for the program, applicants
shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

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(1)
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Completed
a bachelor's degree by September 1 of the calendar year in which the fellowship
begins;

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(2)
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Earned:

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(A)
�
A
cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 or higher; or

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(B)
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A
grade point average of 2.5 or higher in the last sixty semester units or ninety
quarter units;

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(3)
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Be
twenty years of age or older by September 1 of the calendar year in which the
fellowship begins;

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(4)
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Be
capable and prepared for full-time employment; and

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(5)
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Be
authorized to work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship
program;

provided
that an applicant who is not a United States citizen shall provide proof of
appropriate immigration status; provided further that an applicant who requires
a F-1 or J-1 work visa, or who holds any work permit requiring participation in
the E‑Verify employment eligibility verification system, shall not be
eligible for the program.

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(b)
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To apply for the program, eligible applicants shall submit:

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(1)
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A
completed online application;

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(2)
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A
personal statement or policy statement that addresses the applicant's
commitment to serving the State;

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(3)
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A
resume;

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(4)
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The
names of three individuals who will serve as references;

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(5)
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A
minimum of two letters of recommendation; and

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(6)
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Transcripts
from each college and university attended.

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(c)
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The department shall give preference to eligible program applicants who
have:

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(1)
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A
pre-existing connection to the State; or

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(2)
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A
demonstrated commitment to long-term leadership in the State."

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SECTION 2.
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The department of human resources development shall submit a report of
its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the
legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular
session of 2027 on the status and results of the Hawaii state fellows program,
including:

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(1)
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The
number of fellows that applied and participated in the program;

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(2)
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Key
accomplishments of the program; and

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(3)
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The
budget and expenditures of the program.

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SECTION 3.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $
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or so much thereof as may be necessary for
fiscal year 2026-2027 for the Hawaii state fellows program.

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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the department of human resources development for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DHRD;
Workforce Development; State Agencies; Employment; Hawaii State Fellows Program;
Report; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
the Hawaii State Fellows Program within the Department of Human Resources
Development
to match talented applicants with full-time, paid fellowship
roles in various state agencies for a period of 10 to 11 months
.
�

Establishes minimum qualifications and procedures for eligible
applicants to apply to the program.
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Gives preference to eligible program applicants who have a pre-existing connection
to the State or a demonstrated commitment to long-term leadership in the
State.
�
Requires the Department of Human
Resources Development to coordinate with state agencies to implement and
promote the program.
�
Requires a report
to the Legislature.
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Appropriates moneys.

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