Hawaii House Bill HB2379

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/22
• Refer: 1/28/22

Caption

Relating To Active Duty Military Entitlements.

Impact

The enactment of HB 2379 will result in significant changes to existing statutes within the Hawaii Revised Statutes concerning military entitlements. Specifically, it addresses amendments to sections related to the pay of both officers and enlisted personnel during active duty, solidifying their rights to receive the same allowances as their federal counterparts. This will create a comprehensive framework for how active duty military personnel are treated regarding pay and benefits in Hawaii, making it consistent with federal standards.

Summary

House Bill 2379 addresses the entitlements of active duty military personnel in Hawaii by ensuring that they receive timely payment at rates equivalent to their active duty counterparts. The bill stipulates that military personnel called to active duty must be compensated without delay from the date of their deployment and ensures they are entitled to a basic housing allowance while in service. Additionally, the legislation grants service credit for time spent on active duty, which will count towards retirement if the personnel are also state or county employees.

Contention

While this bill has garnered support for aiming to streamline the payment process for military personnel, it may also bring to light discussions about the fiscal responsibilities of the state in providing adequate compensation and benefits. There could be concerns regarding the budgetary impacts on the state's finances and the ongoing need to balance budgetary constraints while ensuring the welfare of service members. Lawmakers will need to weigh these considerations against the necessity of supporting military personnel adequately.