Hawaii House Bill HB2355

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/22
• Refer: 1/28/22
• Refer: 2/1/22
• Refer: 2/22/22
• Report Pass: 3/3/22
• Engrossed: 3/4/22
• Refer: 3/11/22
• Report Pass: 3/24/22
• Refer: 3/24/22

Caption

Making Appropriations For Public Employment Cost Items.

Impact

The enactment of HB 2355 will impact state laws governing appropriations for public employment, particularly in relation to funding for health benefits and compensation adjustments for non-bargaining unit legislative employees. By providing these appropriations, the bill aims to maintain the financial health and operational capacity of the legislative bodies. The provisions ensure that necessary funding is secured to support employees who fulfill essential roles in state governance, despite their exclusion from collective bargaining.

Summary

House Bill 2355, titled 'Making Appropriations For Public Employment Cost Items', seeks to allocate funds for public employment cost items associated with the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund. The bill primarily targets legislative officers and employees of the Senate and House of Representatives who are not part of collective bargaining agreements. It aims to ensure that these funds are available to cover health benefits and other necessary adjustments for the fiscal biennium 2021-2023.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding HB 2355 appears to be positive, particularly among those who advocate for adequate funding of public employees and the services they provide. Supporters argue that the bill is a necessary step in ensuring that legislative staff are properly funded and compensated. However, there may be a degree of contention regarding the lack of collective bargaining privileges for these employees, which could affect their rights and benefits compared to their bargaining colleagues.

Contention

Notably, the bill has sparked discussions about the fairness and equity of compensation for public employees who are not part of collective bargaining units. Critics may argue that this approach can lead to disparities in salary increases and benefits between those who can negotiate their compensation and those who are left to rely on appropriations decided by the legislature. This raises broader questions about labor rights and the treatment of public employees within the state framework.