Hawaii Senate Bill SCR64

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/11/25

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Human Resources Development To Establish The Hawaii State Fellows Program.

Impact

The proposed fellows program is designed to provide full-time, paid fellowship roles that allow young professionals to gain hands-on experience while contributing to state governance. The program will last for a period of ten to eleven months, enabling participants to engage in a variety of public policy issues across different state agencies. This approach is expected to improve internal retention rates, reduce hiring costs, and facilitate the transfer of institutional knowledge between experienced employees and new talent.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 64 (SCR64) requests the Department of Human Resources Development to establish the Hawaii State Fellows Program. This initiative aims to address a significant recruitment and retention crisis within Hawaii's public sector. With a reported public employment vacancy rate of 24% and 31% of state employees eligible for retirement in the next five years, the state is positioned to explore innovative solutions for sustaining effective governance.

Contention

There are several notable components of the program, including career and leadership skills development trainings, a structured mentorship program, and mechanisms for feedback and evaluation to ensure the program meets its objectives. SCR64 outlines specific eligibility criteria for applicants, such as holding a bachelor's degree and being over the age of twenty, which aims to filter candidates who have a commitment to long-term leadership in Hawaii. The resolution also emphasizes the need for thorough monitoring and reporting on the program's effectiveness to the Hawaii Legislature prior to the 2026 Regular Session.