HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1809

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the employment of retirants.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the reemployment of retirees for unique and crucial positions in the State will assist in stabilizing governmental operations, preserving expertise and institutional knowledge, and supporting workforce training and succession planning.

     The purpose of this Act is to authorize the State and counties to temporarily rehire retired public employees in positions that are identified as unique and critical to government operations. 

     SECTION 2.  Section 88-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

     1.  By amending subsection (d) to read:

     "(d)  A retirant may be employed without reenrollment in the system and suffer no loss or interruption of benefits provided by the system or under chapter 87A if the retirant is employed:

     (1)  As an elective officer pursuant to section 88-42.6(c) or as a member of the legislature pursuant to section 88-73(d);

     (2)  As a juror or precinct official;

     (3)  As a part-time or temporary employee excluded from membership in the system pursuant to section 88-43, as a session employee excluded from membership in the system pursuant to section 88-54.2[[],[]] or as any other employee expressly excluded by law from membership in the system; provided that:

          (A)  The retirant was not employed by the State or a county during the six calendar months prior to the first day of reemployment; and

          (B)  No agreement was entered into between the State or a county and the retirant, prior to the retirement of the retirant, for the return to work by the retirant after retirement;

     (4)  In a position identified by the appropriate jurisdiction as a labor shortage or difficult-to-fill position; provided that:

          (A)  The retirant was not employed by the State or a county during the twelve calendar months prior to the first day of reemployment;

          (B)  No agreement was entered into between the State or a county and the retirant, prior to the retirement of the retirant, for the return to work by the retirant after retirement; and

          (C)  Each employer shall contribute to the pension accumulation fund the required percentage of the rehired retirant's compensation to amortize the system's unfunded actuarial accrued liability; [or]

     (5)  As a teacher or an administrator in a teacher shortage area identified by the department of education or in a charter school or as a mentor for new classroom teachers; provided that:

          (A)  The retirant was not employed by the State or a county during the twelve calendar months prior to the first day of reemployment;

          (B)  No agreement was entered into between the State or a county and the retirant prior to the retirement of the retirant, for the return to work by the retirant after retirement; and

          (C)  The department of education or charter school shall contribute to the pension accumulation fund the required percentage of the rehired retirant's compensation to amortize the system's unfunded actuarial accrued liability[.]; or

     (6)  In a position identified by the appropriate jurisdiction as unique and critical to operations; provided that:

          (A)  The retirant was not employed by the State or a county during the twelve calendar months prior to the first day of reemployment;

          (B)  No agreement was entered into between the State or a county and the retirant prior to the retirement of the retirant, for the return to work by the retirant after their retirement;

          (C)  The employer shall contribute to the pension accumulation fund the required percentage of the rehired retirant's compensation to amortize the system's unfunded actuarial accrued liability; and

          (D)  The term of employment shall not exceed a period of four years in total."

     2.  By amending subsection (f) to read:

     "(f)  No later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular legislative session, the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction or the human resources management chief executive of each county shall submit an annual report to the legislature detailing the employment of retirants under paragraphs (4), [and] (5), and (6) of subsection (d), including the number and positions of retirants."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

Public Employees; Retirants

 

Description:

Authorizes the State and counties to temporarily rehire retired public employees to fill positions identified as unique and critical to government operations.

 

 

 

 

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