SB2382

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that sworn law enforcement personnel of the department of law enforcement perform statewide public safety functions that are essential to the protection of life, property, and the rule of law throughout the State. These functions include providing law enforcement services at the courts, the Hawaii state capitol, airports, and harbors, as well as conducing cyber investigations, agricultural enforcement, fireworks enforcement, warrant service, evictions, and participation in joint state and federal task force operations. The department's responsibilities are specialized, high-risk, and statewide in scope, requiring advanced training, certification, and operational readiness.

The legislature further finds that significant disparities in compensation exist between sworn personnel employed by the department of law enforcement and similarly situated sworn officers employed by county police departments. These disparities have created a persistent and growing gap in pay for comparable training, certification, risk exposure, and professional responsibility.

The legislature recognizes that the department of law enforcement competes in the same labor market for qualified sworn officers but is constrained by salary structures that are materially lower than those offered by county police departments. As a result, the department faces increasing difficulty in recruiting new officers, retaining experienced personnel, and preventing the loss of trained staff to higher paying law enforcement agencies. This turnover diminishes institutional knowledge, increases overtime and training costs, and weakens the continuity and effectiveness of statewide law enforcement operations.

The legislature further finds that recruiting and retaining sworn personnel is particularly challenging given Hawaii's high cost of living, demanding work conditions, and the specialized nature of the department of law enforcement's mission. Without targeted intervention, the department will continue to experience staffing instability that threatens operational readiness and public safety.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish the kupaa retention bonus program to promote recruitment, retention, and continuity of service within the department of law enforcement.

SECTION 2. Chapter 353C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§353C- Kupaa retention bonus program; established. (a) There is established in the department the kupaa retention bonus program for sworn law enforcement officers to provide monetary awards to promote recruitment, retention, and continuity of services within the department.

(b) The department shall administer the program as follows:

(1) A sworn law enforcement officer who is a full-time employee of the department shall be eligible to receive a retention bonus if the officer has worked a minimum of two thousand hours, including regular duty hours, approved overtime, sick leave, and vacation leave, during the preceding fiscal year;

(2) The department shall award a retention bonus of $15,000 to each eligible sworn law enforcement officer who satisfies the requirements of this section for the applicable fiscal year;

(3) The retention bonus awarded shall be a non-base, non-pensionable payment and shall not be included in the calculation of base salary, retirement benefits, or any other salary-based benefit; and

(4) The department shall retain records related to the program, including the number of sworn officers receiving bonuses, years of service, assignment categories, and any other information the department deems necessary to administer the program; provided that the department shall provide the information only in aggregate form and shall not disclose personally identifiable information.

(c) After June 30, 2028, no bonuses shall be issued under this section; provided that any obligations properly incurred before that date shall be paid.

(d) As used in this section:

"Bonus" means a one-time, non-base payment awarded in addition to an officer's regular salary.

"Sworn law enforcement officer" means any full-time employee of the department appointed to be a state law enforcement officer pursuant to section 353C-4."

SECTION 3. The department of law enforcement shall submit a report to the legislature no later than December 1, 2028, evaluating the effectiveness of the kupaa retention bonus program established by section 2 of this Act. The report shall include:

(1) The number of sworn law enforcement officers that have received a retention bonus for each fiscal year;

(2) Changes in vacancy rates, turnover, and average length of service among sworn personnel during the period of implementation;

(3) An assessment of the program's impact on recruitment, retention, and operational readiness;

(4) A fiscal analysis comparing the costs of the program with savings or cost avoidance attributable to reduced overtime, reduced training and onboarding of new officers, and improved workforce stability; and

(5) Any recommendations regarding the continuation, modification, or termination of the program beyond the sunset date.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the kupaa law enforcement retention bonus program to provide retention bonuses in the amount of $15,000 to eligible sworn law enforcement officers.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of law enforcement for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026, and shall repeal on June 30, 2028.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2382
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII