Governor Josh Green Signs Bills Affecting HRS Chapters 89 and 377 Into Law

Following the 2024 Regular Session of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, Governor Josh Green signed five bills affecting Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapters 89 and 377 into law:

• HB 1640 HD1 SD1 CD1 (CCR 128-24) RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. Requires the employer to initiate negotiations on repricing of classes within a bargaining unit within thirty days of its receipt of the exclusive representative’s written request to negotiate. Establishes that the employer’s failure to initiate the negotiation within the required time frame and the parties’ failure to reach an agreement within one hundred fifty days of the exclusive representative’s written request to negotiate or by January 31 of a year in which the collective bargaining agreement is due to expire, whichever is earlier, constitutes an impasse to which the impasse procedures shall apply, under certain conditions and limitations. Sunsets 6/30/2029. (CD1)
  • Act 234, 7/09/2024 (Gov. Msg. No. 1339)
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• HB 1642 HD1 SD1 (SSCR 3735) RELATING TO GENERAL EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION. Allows an employee or the exclusive representative, if applicable, to file a complaint with the Hawaiʻi Labor Relations Board if the employer fails to comply with section 78-64, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, relating to general employee orientation. (SD1)
  • Act 063, 6/21/2024 (Gov. Msg. No. 1164)
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• SB 2715 SD1 HD2 CD1 (CCR 29-24) RELATING TO UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES. Makes it unlawful for an employer to discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize or threaten any adverse employment action against an employee because the employee declines to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting that communicates the opinion of the employer about political matters, or declines to receive or listen to a communication from the employer that communicates the opinion of the employer about political matters. Defines “employee” and “political matters”. (CD1)
  • Act 174, 7/2/2024 (Gov. Msg. No. 1275)
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• SB 2718 SD1 HD1 CD1 (CCR 30-24) RELATED (sic) TO ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES. Allows the Hawaiʻi Labor Relations Board to admit and consider hearsay evidence. (CD1)
  • Act 141, 7/1/2024 (Gov. Msg. No. 1242)
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• SB 2991 SD2 HD2 CD1 (CCR 178-24) RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT CREATION. Requires the Hawaiʻi Labor Relations Board to adopt rules establishing criteria and procedures for the creation of new bargaining units. Requires certain employees or any employer or exclusive representative proposing a new bargaining unit to submit an application to the Board. Allows certain employees or any employer or exclusive representative to petition the Board to determine the appropriateness of a new bargaining unit. Requires the Board to consider certain criteria in determining the appropriateness of a new bargaining unit. Requires the Board to, upon its approval of the application, submit a report to the Legislature, including proposed legislation to create the new bargaining unit, accompanied by a decision and order issued by the Board. Makes an appropriation. Repeals 7/1/2027. (CD1)
  • Act 143, 7/1/2024 (Gov. Msg. No. 1244)
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