THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

344

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to public workers.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's state executive agencies currently have approximately two thousand vacancies.  This degradation of the public sector leaves important government functions at risk and deeply affects the efficacy of public services and public infrastructure.

     The legislature further finds that this situation is a nationwide issue, which is aggravated by growing pay disparities between the public and private sectors.  Many public sector jobs pay significantly less than their private sector counterparts, while demanding equivalent levels of education, experience, and qualifications.  In Hawaii, the high cost of living makes surviving off public sector wages unsustainable for many residents.

     The legislature additionally finds that without addressing the ongoing understaffing of the State's public sector, core government functions that support the people of Hawaii will be at risk.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to establish a working group to:

     (1)  Examine and redescribe certain existing position descriptions of state public workers in all state departments and agencies;

     (2)  Examine and make recommendations regarding the impact of the pay disparities between public and private sector workers; and

     (3)  Examine and make recommendations regarding the impact of the disparities between the health insurance premiums paid by public and private sector workers.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established within the department of human resources development a working group to:

     (1)  Examine and redescribe existing position descriptions of state public workers in all state departments and agencies, where such redescription is necessary because the educational or training qualifications are obsolete, or the work descriptions are outdated or inaccurate;

     (2)  Examine the impact of the pay disparities between public and private sector workers and make recommendations to address such disparities; and

     (3)  Examine the impact of the disparities between the health insurance premiums paid by public and private sector workers and make recommendations to address such disparities.

     (b)  The working group shall consist of the following members:

     (1)  The director of human resources development, or the director's designee, who shall serve as chairperson of the task force;

     (2)  One member of the public with extensive professional experience in human resources in the public sector, to be selected by the speaker of the house of representatives;

     (3)  One member of the public with extensive professional experience in human resources in the private sector, to be selected by the president of the senate; and

     (4)  Any other agency or designee deemed appropriate by the chairperson of the task force.

     (c)  The task force shall meet during the 2023 legislative interim, with the initial meeting of the task force to be held no later than July 1, 2023.

     (d)  Members of the working group shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses necessary for the performance of their duties, including travel expenses.

     (e)  The working group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024.

     (f)  The department of human resources development shall provide any necessary administrative and clerical support to the working group, including preparation and drafting of the report identified in subsection (e).

     (g)  The working group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2024.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

Public Workers; Department of Human Resources Development; Working Group; Pay Disparities

 

Description:

Establishes a working group within DHRD to:  examine and redescribe certain existing position descriptions of state public workers in all state departments and agencies; examine and make recommendations regarding the impact of the pay disparities between public and private sector workers; and examine and make recommendations regarding the impact of the disparities between the health insurance premiums paid by public and private sector workers.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.