[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6108842,"mediaKeyId","2766217-09c6799496b09633265e9faf30b61391","parentId",2766217,"title","Committee advances resolution to study Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award","audioSeconds",335,"startMs",2053000,"endMs",2388000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766217-09c6799496b09633265e9faf30b61391&start=2053&end=2388","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766217-09c6799496b09633265e9faf30b61391/thumbnail_2053000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6108842/Hawaii/Committee-advances-resolution-to-study-Hawaii-Workforce-Excellence-Award","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108842-11e1822bcb3ca3f1a560c2c18494f205/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142273&Signature=JVj06mA2PH0uzptkVGZzDgYPFvjvfBuZDyftYps5dHGE7IawKNvFER-UF4n~9tmAMaW8K9RQch25TTSi2Oh7QiqunX4331uTSejyt1qtkORKRDg3pfLRHuYBnxJ5ObMZsNcsL8OMPPjaD3KEvIM1Uf-d-C2W~RNleHB-Rc4MxLhBG2o9q0vQ30CIj17VJlJPATxTbBS6WHWav1fYgd2-0d9WIw3q7s1tgfDQdE4QFBwKhdmJuAEUnFgRC-stQ~21La6QaYyPkWb6LdEEH7aE~~NCTRtqX8HDVqelYmHIezEWo7MXD-3xtkeW8j2iJAdPiz4AeZUJRrYeAjdZ8SnwhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Committee on Labor and Technology","date","2025-03-25T23:07:23.567Z","article","The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology voted March 24 to pass SCR 63 / SR 48, which requests the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to study establishing a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award program.

DLIR Director Jade Butay told the committee the department strongly supports the resolution’s intent and emphasized that many good jobs do not require a college degree. “Having a workforce excellence program will allow young people to learn that there are many paths to a good job,” Butay said.

The committee adopted the recommendation to pass the resolution unamended. The chair recorded the recommendation as adopted and noted Senators Ihara and Fevella were excused.

Why it matters: the study could lead to a recognition program that highlights non-college career pathways and encourages employer practices that support training and career advancement.

Votes at a glance: SCR 63 / SR 48 — passed unamended.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LBT Public Hearing 03-24-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee voted to pass SCR 63 / SR 48 directing the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to study establishing a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award to recognize quality jobs that do not require a college degree.","taxTitle","Senate Committee on Labor and Technology, Senate, Legislative , Hawaii","taxId",25735,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108847,"Senate committee approves measure directing agencies to coordinate on public mental health hiring",502,1856000,2358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766217-09c6799496b09633265e9faf30b61391&start=1856&end=2358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766217-09c6799496b09633265e9faf30b61391/thumbnail_1856000.jpg","/articles/6108847/Hawaii/Senate-committee-approves-measure-directing-agencies-to-coordinate-on-public-mental-health-hiring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108847-b82f5009ce642e13c08568df8a7e101b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142273&Signature=R6qe5XDvY-uRXPQmfAKFSytIBZa~gu2uZkJsu3wZV1XnWGID7BL9YkUl3EGSZIT9CDzgDqbBNqNJ6fmEVNuqN0cxTGzet9x53LfUam5V15mIEDkYRw~9uS3wHRF5OGqOSXpBoGBfem-UPVnDD8BiunZGP-eL~kqXBZDCERz0ryDaWsgCO8vE~yzQ8iE2P~24JmV~2Lhpnam2tX3bzvAKienGg8T-14mHRUGos0rq83TKLLjRzU0tbap2HjKdyUT6sytVo96FeqjKZ-JnxZkEBJPzmgyE9pzW6dCrJkrasKWySwdUOD8FdtZnhNH8E~MGtFKo~N9oo0FWm-WlEns2SQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology voted March 24 to pass SCR 67 / SR 51 with amendments directing state agencies that make up the public mental health care system to more closely cooperate with the Department of Human Resources Development to expedite hiring and fill critical vacancies.

Catherine Amer, chair of the State Council on Mental Health, told the committee the state faces a “severe workforce crisis” that endangers access to care for youth, older adults, Native Hawaiian communities and residents on neighboring islands. “We strongly support SCR 67,” Amer said, urging the committee to act to modernize hiring practices and develop targeted recruitment strategies.

The committee adopted language changes suggested by DHRD and added named agencies to the list of cooperating entities, inserting the director of health, the superintendent of education, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the chief justice of the courts. The chair said the committee would take DHRD’s suggested amendments and amend the resolution to include those offices.

Committee members cited the urgency of the workforce shortage and the need for complete participation from all agencies that comprise the state’s public mental health system. The committee voted to pass the measure with the amendments; the chair noted senators Ihara and Fevella were excused and recorded no reservations.

Why it matters: staffing shortfalls in public mental health services affect access to care for vulnerable populations and can increase downstream health-care costs; this resolution orders interagency cooperation and a review to identify obstacles and solutions for recruitment and retention.

Votes at a glance: SCR 67 / SR 51 — passed with amendments (committee adopted DHRD’s amendments and added specified agencies).","The committee passed SCR 67 / SR 51 with amendments requiring the Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Corrections and the judiciary to cooperate with DHRD to address hiring and retention for the public mental health workforce.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108853,"Committee defers proposal to establish Hawaii State Fellows Program indefinitely",483,1739000,2222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766217-09c6799496b09633265e9faf30b61391&start=1739&end=2222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766217-09c6799496b09633265e9faf30b61391/thumbnail_1739000.jpg","/articles/6108853/Hawaii/Committee-defers-proposal-to-establish-Hawaii-State-Fellows-Program-indefinitely","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108853-ce9abcfd47a10e986480aa3a1bbce384/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142273&Signature=IuijwGiXdcJcD-t9-YNyDeYkwlPX9lq8JznJu-6SJz1PFeBVwazczbRWKvnQxS9HFoc4WidMvQIWXS~~-apu2totmQy2eM3YnAquPwo2sjt7-TuxrGufdOkJuOoZ7hy9ZCqxoGnmmVAg5324dnXehsJflo0Abg7w2GRL1-6LPRI0b0wkzMLw94UEbUt~zZtLaINmckTWuqwkMOURw~dHqRTRUibo~hka9LQ5SurWqN1tB2YC8cPmo5J2R0seuBkeFuwwohFq7mlgZe5mA9XRbVP6sX-4T4O42gIaALEQByLkVtauoL776p-5VGeOLIYmEjEpQNdCoehtCtR5aiXseg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony March 24 on SCR 64 / SR 49, which would request the Department of Human Resources Development to establish a Hawaii State Fellows Program, but the committee’s recommendation was to defer the measure indefinitely.

DHRD testified in support of the program’s intent but asked that resources be provided. “We do ask, however, that resources be provided,” a DHRD deputy said, and urged that funds be included in the budget bill (HB 3) if the program moves forward. The department described an initial staffing ask that included temporary fellow positions and two permanent staff to run the program, and compared the proposal in scale to existing fellowship-style programs in state government.

Committee members did not take further action and the chair noted the recommendation to defer indefinitely. The record shows no additional testimony asking for retention or membership changes.

Why it matters: a statewide fellows program would create temporary positions for early-career public servants and support state workforce development, but it requires explicit budgetary support to staff and operate the program.

Votes at the meeting: SCR 64 / SR 49 — committee recommendation: defer indefinitely.","The committee heard DHRD support for establishing a Hawaii State Fellows Program but deferred the resolution indefinitely because of resource concerns; DHRD recommended funding be requested in the budget bill if the program proceeds.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108857,"Committee advances resolution to review boiler and elevator inspection branch amid inspector shortages",1219,997000,2216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766217-09c6799496b09633265e9faf30b61391&start=997&end=2216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766217-09c6799496b09633265e9faf30b61391/thumbnail_997000.jpg","/articles/6108857/Hawaii/Committee-advances-resolution-to-review-boiler-and-elevator-inspection-branch-amid-inspector-shortages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108857-c592f9fcbcf49a0f104e3663d05c004a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142273&Signature=nEVBA9NIdzjdMeYrfIZJlPQlFw6A6irRAmL3wrwnppQSjqbG3Aho0es6MJq9u4bkO9UKmyR2Xel647rx2v0iuM8X-nOWa695A6s~qNsN85EcTNeQqvtrbvjO94zMQQFSVv7qpFdRcfvGlr0CwvyIadT4UgHNJouzV0DBaDEPpRXKBWcLyE8XkJ7JJtX1nPZER1iOw~MkZNeSYMjvl~sEOsA4AKtKvDByA-HR0RD0YrMHQ0HXWeemhMxHGPi2NqTrjp1FqOdCjzhJtH6T90yTaMgtq2Ojj8RnzDSq3LSWZ5264oRTqkYJb2~8TcUNO6UhH2IVW2Q4uY~0bXCnVWVLKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology voted March 24 to advance a resolution (SCR 55 / SR 37) requesting the Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a comprehensive review of the boiler and elevator inspection branch to improve recruitment and retention.

Industry representatives testified the branch faces critical staffing shortages that have delayed inspections. “The lack of elevator inspectors is having a negative impact to the state's business environment…wait times for inspections, 3 to 4 months in some cases,” Billy Taylor, director of government affairs for the National Elevator Industry, said in remote testimony.

Multiple companies and trade representatives urged swift study and remedies. Darren Hamasaki, operations manager for Shen Elevator, and Javier Pomeric of Otis Elevator Company said long inspection waits were impeding project turnovers. Michael Nagao, general manager of KONE Elevators and Escalators, and other industry witnesses urged addressing compensation and recruitment to attract younger workers; one testifier noted many inspectors are retirees who remain only a few years.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Jade Butay expressed support for the study and said more information would help. Department of Human Resources Development Deputy Brian Feruto told the committee DHRD supports the intent but recommended the labor department lead the study because of its operational familiarity with classifications and compensation.

The committee adopted the recommendation to pass the resolution unamended. Voting on SCR 55 / SR 37, Chair Aquino and Vice Chair voted “aye,” Senator Moriwaki also recorded an “aye,” and Senators Ihara and Fevella were excused; the chair announced the recommendation was adopted.

Why it matters: extended inspection backlogs can delay construction projects and maintenance, affecting developers, contractors and the public that rely on timely safety inspections. The resolution directs a review to identify recruitment, training and compensation barriers and recommend solutions.

Votes at a glance: The committee passed SCR 55 / SR 37 (recommendation to pass unamended).","Members advanced SCR 55 / SR 37 directing a comprehensive review of the state boiler and elevator inspection branch after industry witnesses reported inspection backlogs and months-long waits; the committee passed the resolution unamended.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108862,"Senate committee defers decision on forming paid family and medical leave working group",2126,68000,2194000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766217-09c6799496b09633265e9faf30b61391&start=68&end=2194","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766217-09c6799496b09633265e9faf30b61391/thumbnail_68000.jpg","/articles/6108862/Hawaii/Senate-committee-defers-decision-on-forming-paid-family-and-medical-leave-working-group","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108862-08b3fe6bbd6d9a95f10cb85c9b74a242/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142273&Signature=Ih9USlUbnlWuaz0i1~U31zeeLNVciI2QkMJOlUoF6eHj8XS8NLc5gSSjigw9tohgNsSipnHetc4C8HGATAh5HyFbEkKfMBAb2PPlFOoc6wx9Djx1JsI1~4NWNXygeGtpLddudDJDy-NrkRPmcI7y~SS8uSXu1sf2waihvx1lQ0lP~zozBGroQiE0BXjwe4DOu-OwJDfuPuzUeHBeVfIvZF3m7dwESCjlnccNObDn~5El8~2CIWrwBZYDLPML1H0fFTDzmqlr0spQuyEG~FjqtziHtv0McPqQBZGSGMhY7SyAk4-8OLoyQNseIvXDdJdtzzonltvksj3fPbJ0905w3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology heard broad support March 24 for a resolution (SCR 145 / SR 117) requesting a legislative working group to develop recommendations for establishing a state paid family and medical leave program, but deferred decision-making to March 28.

The measure drew testimony from labor, health and advocacy groups, and small-business owners who said a working group would help the Legislature prepare a program. “We stand on our testimony in support,” Jade Butay, director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, told the committee. Nicole Wu of the Hawai‘i Children’s Action Network said a working group “is a really good step to get us there.”

The issue attracted broad stakeholder interest. AARP Hawai‘i, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, the Hawai‘i State AFL-CIO, Maui Chamber of Commerce and other nonprofits and unions submitted written or oral support. Joel Edwards, a Kauai small-business owner, said paid family leave would “really make a significant impact” for employees who face catastrophic family events.

Committee members pressed staff on administrative capacity and costs. Joanne Hiddon Hart, an administrator in the department, said staff needs were estimated by comparing a family-leave program to unemployment insurance operations: “We came up with the staff count based on looking at unemployment insurance…we came up with a 20 [positions]” (staff later gave a broader estimate of about 122 positions and roughly $15 million, including fringe, to stand up and operate a full program). Butay told the panel there are no federal funds now available to run a paid family leave program and that administration would rely on state funds.

Senators also raised composition of the proposed working group and whether it includes representatives with federal ERISA expertise to avoid conflicts between a state program and federal law. “If we want this to be successful…we’ve gotta be able to get the right people at the table,” one senator said, pressing for inclusion of entities with federal-law expertise. Several testifiers recommended adding representatives from the judiciary, Department of Education, and professional organizations such as the American Association of University Women.

The committee’s chair said there were “a number of suggestions” to consider and announced the measure would be deferred to 3 p.m. March 28 in Conference Room 224 for further consideration and a public notice to be posted on the Legislature’s website.

Why it matters: establishing paid family and medical leave would create a new statewide benefit with operational, budgetary and legal implications. The working group is intended to gather stakeholders, estimate costs, and identify statutory or regulatory changes needed to implement a program.

Votes at the meeting: no final vote on SCR 145 / SR 117; decision-making was deferred to March 28.","The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology heard hours of testimony in strong support of a resolution to convene a legislative working group on paid family and medical leave; the committee deferred final action to March 28 to consider changes to membership and federal compliance expertise.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances resolution to study Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award

Senate committee approves measure directing agencies to coordinate on public mental health hiring

Committee defers proposal to establish Hawaii State Fellows Program indefinitely

Committee advances resolution to review boiler and elevator inspection branch amid inspector shortages

Senate committee defers decision on forming paid family and medical leave working group