STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3086

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3144

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 3144, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LAW,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Repeal the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board and its rules requiring a separate state crane operator certificate; and

(2) Allow additional time for the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to complete an investigation of a discharge or discrimination complaint pertaining to employees exercising rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Law without formal extension.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Your Committee finds that the State's hoisting machine certification requirements unnecessarily duplicates federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration's crane operator standards under 29 C.F.R. section 1926.1427, and imposes additional paperwork, fees, and delays without improving safety. Repealing this requirement will streamline regulation and remove redundant oversight. Your Committee further finds that extending the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations' timeframe to investigate complex whistle blower complaints aligns the State's law with federal practice and provides clearer expectations for employers and employees. This measure updates the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Law while reducing administrative burdens and maintaining essential workplace safety protections.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3144, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair