STAND. COM. REP. NO. 625-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2291

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 2291, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Rename the "Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Program" to the "Hawaii National Guard Civil-Military Program"; and

(2) Clarify that employees of the Hawaii National Guard Youth Civil-Military Program are exempt from civil service and collective bargaining.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii National Guard's Youth Challenge Program requires clearer statutory structure to improve administrative efficiency and federal alignment. Renaming the program and consolidating positions will streamline hiring, strengthen oversight, and ensure compliance with federally mandated wage and personnel requirements. Your Committee believes that these updates will support consistent standards and expand educational and workforce opportunities for Hawaii's youth, adults, and veterans.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2291, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor,

____________________________

JACKSON D. SAYAMA, Chair