All Roll Calls
Yes: 201 • No: 7
HawaiiHB 4772025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)HouseWALLET
RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.
Sponsored By: Jackson D. Sayama (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Amends the definition of "registered for work" or "registration for work" under the Hawaii Employment Security Law. Repeals the requirement to post work availability online. Amends the qualifications for unemployed individuals who are able to receive certain unemployment benefits. Beginning 4/1/2027, permits electronic notification of determinations or redeterminations of unemployment claims. Repeals language that limited an individual's ability to change a previously elected withholding status to once during a benefit year. (SD2)
Hawaii Employment Security LawUnemployment BenefitsUnemployment ClaimsRegistration for WorkElectronic NotificationLBT, WAM/JDC
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
More control over unemployment tax withholding
Starting July 1, 2025, people who chose tax withholding from unemployment benefits can change that choice during a benefit year. The law removes the limit of one change per year. This changes withholding flexibility, not benefit amounts or taxes owed.
Employers lose joint unemployment accounts
Starting July 1, 2025, Hawaii labor officials can no longer combine two or more employers’ unemployment contribution accounts to set contribution rates. Employers lose this shared-account option. The law does not specify whether any employer’s contribution rate will rise or fall.
Job seekers get electronic notices
Beginning April 1, 2027, unemployment notices and appeal papers are sent electronically unless you choose mail. The electronic notice date counts as the mailing date. You generally have 10 days to appeal a decision. The Department can extend that deadline to 30 days for good cause.
New work-search rules for job seekers
Starting July 1, 2025, people registering for work must give Hawaii labor officials information to support their job search and referrals. The law no longer requires this information to appear on the state job-matching website. Claimants excused from work registration are exempt from work searches or follow modified rules set by the Department.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jackson D. Sayama
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Mark J. Hashem
Democratic • House
Daniel Holt
Democratic • House
LA CHICA
Affiliation unavailable
LAMOSAO
Affiliation unavailable
Lisa Marten
Democratic • House
Scot Z. Matayoshi
Democratic • House
Tyson K. Miyake
Democratic • House
Jenna Takenouchi
Democratic • House
David A. Tarnas
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/21/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 43 • No: 7
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/1/2025
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/1/2025
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/12/2025
The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 47 • No: 0
House vote • 2/21/2025
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes ...
Yes: 12 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2025
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN...
Yes: 48 • No: 0
House vote • 2/11/2025
The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act 214, 06/25/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1316).
6/25/2025SenateAct 214, on 06/25/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1316).
6/25/2025HouseReceived notice of House agreement and passage on Final Reading (Hse. Com. No. 794).
4/22/2025SenateReceived notice of House reconsideration of action in disagreeing to the amendments proposed by the Senate (Hse. Com. No. 760).
4/21/2025SenateHouse agrees to Senate amendment(s).
4/21/2025HousePassed Final Reading as amended in SD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting no (7) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).
4/21/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor.
4/21/2025HouseReconsideration of action taken on 04-10-25.
4/17/2025HouseSenate Conferees Appointed: Aquino Chair; Elefante, Chang Co-Chairs; Fevella.
4/15/2025SenateReceived notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 790).
4/15/2025HouseReceived notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 704).
4/11/2025SenateHouse disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
4/10/2025HouseReport adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
4/8/2025SenateReturned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 645) in amended form (SD 2).
4/8/2025HouseReported from WAM/JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1813) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
4/4/2025Senate48 Hrs. Notice 04-08-25.
4/4/2025SenateThe committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
4/1/2025SenateThe committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 11 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite, Lee, C..
4/1/2025SenateThe committee(s) on WAM/JDC will hold a public decision making on 04-01-25 10:00AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
3/27/2025SenateReported from LBT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1158) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.
3/19/2025SenateReport adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM/JDC.
3/19/2025SenateThe committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in LBT were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Aquino, Lee, C., Ihara, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Moriwaki.
3/12/2025SenateThe committee(s) on LBT has scheduled a public hearing on 03-12-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
3/7/2025SenateReferred to LBT, WAM/JDC.
3/4/2025SenateReceived from House (Hse. Com. No. 19).
2/28/2025Senate
Bill Text
Bill Text
HB477_HD1
HB477_SD1
HB477_SD2
Original
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