Hawaii House Bill HB919

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/21
• Refer: 1/29/21
• Report Pass: 2/17/21
• Refer: 2/17/21
• Report Pass: 3/4/21
• Engrossed: 3/4/21
• Refer: 3/9/21
• Report Pass: 3/25/21
• Refer: 3/25/21
• Report Pass: 4/9/21

Caption

Relating To Public Employment Cost Items.

Impact

The bill serves as a legislative method to guarantee that the financial aspects of collective negotiations are met. It stipulates that funds appropriated shall be allotted by the director of finance to the appropriate state departments for actual expenditure. Notably, the bill clarifies that salary adjustments for employees compensated through federal, special, or other funds shall correspond to the source of those funds. This ensures equitable treatment of employees, regardless of their funding source, which could have a broad impact on how various state departments budget for their personnel costs.

Summary

House Bill 919, introduced in the State of Hawaii, focuses on public employment cost items, specifically addressing the funding for collective bargaining agreements. The bill authorizes funding necessary to cover all collective bargaining cost items for the fiscal biennium of 2021-2023. It outlines appropriations from various funding sources for state officers and employees, particularly targeting those who are part of collective bargaining unit (5) and those excluded from collective bargaining but belong to the same compensation plans. The provisions aim to ensure that salary increases and cost adjustments negotiated with the bargaining representatives are appropriately funded.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding HB 919 appears to be neutral. It is a procedural bill primarily focused on fiscal allocations rather than a contentious policy shift. However, while it may not generate heated debates, it highlights the importance of funding in relation to collective bargaining, which can often be a polarizing topic, especially in discussions around labor agreements and state funding priorities. The consensus among stakeholders seems to lean towards the necessity of ensuring that public employees are justly compensated according to negotiated terms.

Contention

While the bill itself does not seem to introduce significant contention, the underlying issues regarding funding for public employment could lead to discussions on budget priorities within the state. Potential concerns may arise if the requested appropriations are deemed insufficient or if there is a disparity between funding allocations and the needs of various governmental departments. Moreover, the effectiveness of the bill hinges on the proper allocation and utilization of the authorized funds, making transparency and accountability critical in its implementation.