Legislative Action

From City Hall to the State Legislature, We’re Fighting For You

The state political action committee is responsible for developing HGEA’s legislative priorities with input from membership and approval by the board of directors.

When the legislative session starts in January, HGEA combs through the thousands of introduced bills to track those that may impact members. Using our legislative priorities as a guide, we determine lobbying strategy and which bills to support or oppose. We’re your voice for labor at the capitol.

Call for 2027 Legislative Proposals

Do you have an idea that should become law? This is your chance to let us know if you have an idea for a new law or how to improve a current one.

Submitting a form by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9.

2026 Session Recap

The state’s 2026 legislative session was somewhat overshadowed by the political and economic chaos trickling down from the federal government. Through it all, HGEA held strong – pushing for pro-labor bills and fighting against bad bills that would’ve taken away worker rights. Here’s a quick rundown of our successes:

Leaderboard

117

Measures Testified

1

Priority Bills Passed

1

Supreme Court Chief Justice Confirmed

0

Bad Bills Opposed Passed

Major Wins

Maximum Contribution and Carryover Amounts for Flexible Spending Account Plan: HB1661/SB2122
Requires the maximum contribution and carryover amounts for a public service flexible spending account plan to be set annually in accordance with the maximum amounts allowed under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

Confirmation of Chief Justice Vlad Devens: GM801
Submitting for consideration and confirmation as Chief Justice of the Hawai’i State Supreme Court, Gubernatorial Appointee, VLADIMIR P. DEVENS, for a term to expire in 10 years.

Harassment of Public Employees: HB1888/SB2568/SB2567
Requires the Department of Education and state public charter schools to take certain steps to better address the harassment of educational workers, including sports officials. (HB1888) Elevates the offense of harassment to a misdemeanor when committed against a public servant because of or during their performance of official duties. (SB2568) Establishes a two-year pilot project to authorize public employers to petition for temporary restraining orders and injunctions against employment-related harassment of certain public employees. (SB2567)

Bad Bills We Defeated

Bills Exempting Employees from Civil Service:
Department of Education: SB896
Department of Land and Natural Resources: HB2325/SB3145
Department of the AG and Hawaii Correctional Oversight Commission: HB2255/SB3075
Law Enforcement Standards Board: SB2593

Bureau of Conveyance Special Fund: SB2306
Allows the Bureau of Conveyance Special Fund to be used for third party contracting.

Restructuring the DOE: SB 3334
Changes the way principals, vice principals and other educational officers are selected and evaluated.

Vacant Positions: SB3108
Expands the scope and use of 89-day hires and automatically abolishes positions that have been vacant for 48 months.

Legislative Priorities

Your State Committee on Political Action, chaired by Vice President and Unit 3 Director Jon Gasper, knows that more must be done to recruit and retain government employees. After careful review and deliberation, they recommended the following, which was approved by the Board of Directors as the organization’s 2026 Legislative Priorities:

Recruit and retain a strong government workforce
Address pay equity, attract the next generation of employees, and develop benefits for a 21st century workforce.

Ensure funding of vital services for our community
Actively seek ways to generate additional state and county revenues to preserve government programs, especially in light of the recent income tax cuts.

Protect the right to organize, oppose civil service exemptions, and advance collective bargaining
Ensure civil service protections under Chapter 76, HRS and expand collective bargaining rights under Chapter 89, HRS.

Oppose privatization
Services provided by government employees should be protected.

Protect retirement benefits for current and future retirees
Promises made to employees upon hire should be kept.

Historical Success

Five-day work week (1941)
Funeral leave (1955)
Unlimited sick leave accumulation (1959)
40-hour work week (1959)
Equal pay for equal work (1961)
Health Fund dental benefits (1965)
Retirement credit for unused sick leave (1975)
Staggered work hours (1977)
Deferred compensation plan (1981)
Fully paid children’s dental and group life insurance (1991)
Final and binding arbitration for HGEA units (1995)
Creation of Unit 14 (2013) and Unit 15 (2021)

Legislative Action

From City Hall to the State Legislature, We’re Fighting For You

Call for 2027 Legislative Proposals

2026 Session Recap

Leaderboard

Major Wins

Bad Bills We Defeated

Legislative Priorities

Historical Success

Find Bills and Testimony

Submit Online Testimony

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