June 21, 2013

9:00 to 10:00

8:45 - Registration

HEC Kahili Meeting Room

The 2013 legislative session has ended, and Hawaii employers can breathe a sigh of relief for the time being because most of the controversial employment-related bills failed to pass this year. Nevertheless, this year’s legislative session will still result in some changes to Hawaii’s employment laws. For example, the Governor already signed bills into law that change the notice period for unemployment appeals hearings and create new payroll requirements for employers. In addition, the Legislature sent several measures to the Governor for his approval or veto, including bills regarding the rights of nursing mothers to express breast milk while at work, a study that could impact the state’s workers’ compensation medical fee schedule, and a definition of what constitutes a “small employer” for purposes of Hawaii’s health insurance laws and the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

From a tax perspective, after what started out as a dark outlook for taxpayers with numerous proposals for increases in taxes and new fees, taxpayers surprisingly walked away from the 2013 session with only one tax increase, if it can be called that. Although hotel operators may have been disappointed that the “temporary” TAT rate of 9.25% was made permanent, the visitor industry did benefit with an increase in the amount allocated from the TAT. In addition, while the threat of a tax increase loomed large over the entire session as a result of the 500 pound gorilla called “unfunded liabilities,” lawmakers seemed to want to avoid being remembered for raising taxes. On top of that, lawmakers adopted a biennial budget that was smaller than what the Governor had proposed. Is there a turn toward fiscal conservatism in the legislature and what are some of the perils that lie ahead for the community?

Please join us for this discussion on new employment laws that may affect your workplace, as well as to hear the inside scoop on the change in the fiscal atmosphere at the legislature.

Click here for the brochure. If you have any questions, please contact Vicky Tasaka-Loando at 440-8888