The 2023 Legislative session is in full swing! Our state Senators and Representatives welcomed the public back to the State Capitol building after nearly three years of closed and restricted access to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please note that before entering the State Capitol, you must now go through a security checkpoint and show a photo ID. Masks are encouraged and may be required in some spaces. Public access to the State Capitol is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. For more information on visiting the State Capitol, visit https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/.

As anticipated, this year’s session is shaping up to be a busy one, including bills introduced related to firearms and concealed carry, right to sit at work, paid sick leave, paid family leave, reproductive health & insurance, expanding temporary disability insurance, and marijuana use. Additionally, following a growing trend among states throughout the country, a bill was introduced that would require employers to include an hourly rate or salary range in job postings.

Interestingly, two bills have been introduced relating to the tip credit. One would repeal the tip credit, requiring employers to pay full minimum wage to all employees regardless of whether or not they receive tips, and the other would increase tip credit and provide for it to be calculated as a percentage of the minimum wage. 

For a full list of bills Hawaii Employers Council is tracking this session, see our 2023 Employment Bills and Other Bills of Interest, which will be posted to our Legislative Updates page this week. Updates throughout the session will be posted as they become available. 

Employers interested in submitting testimony for any of the bills this session should review the testimony instructions provided by the Legislature.