Hawaii Senate Bill SB343

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/25
• Refer: 1/21/25

Caption

Relating To Hazard Pay.

Impact

If enacted, SB343 will amend Chapter 78 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to empower department heads and human resource directors to grant temporary hazard pay, capped at 25% of the minimum salary rate. This temporary compensation would be limited to six months, with possible renewals, aimed at rewarding employees who work in potentially dangerous conditions. This legislative change has the potential to improve morale and provide financial relief to public employees who have faced the challenges of hazardous work conditions, particularly during extraordinary events such as health crises.

Summary

SB343 aims to address disparities in hazard pay among public employees in Hawaii, specifically in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill seeks to reinstate provisions from the previously repealed section 77-11 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which allowed for hazard pay to be awarded to employees exposed to unusually hazardous working conditions. This reinstatement is meant to ensure that all public employees, regardless of their collective bargaining agreements, are treated equitably when it comes to recognition and compensation for the risks they face in their work environments. The bill recognizes that many essential workers, including first responders and educators, did not receive hazard pay due to contractual discrepancies during the pandemic, which created feelings of inequity among employees in different bargaining units.

Contention

While proponents of the bill argue that it will create fairness and equity among public employees, concerns may arise regarding the funding and fiscal responsibility associated with implementing hazard pay across various departments. Critics of temporary hazard pay may point to existing budget constraints and the need for careful oversight to prevent misuse of funds. Additionally, questions might surface about how this change will harmonize with existing collective bargaining agreements and what implications this has for negotiations in the future. Therefore, the implementation of SB343 necessitates careful consideration of fiscal impacts and employee entitlements.