All Roll Calls
Yes: 178 • No: 0
HawaiiSB 13592025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)Senate
RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND BASE COMPOSITE MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION.
Sponsored By: Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Effective 1/1/2026, increases the employer base composite monthly contribution to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund by 5.2 percent of the 2025 employer base composite monthly contribution. Effective 1/1/2027, requires that the employer base composite monthly contribution be calculated based on the change in Medicare Part B premiums from 2025 to 2026 and at a two-year lag thereafter. (HD2)
EUTFEmployer Base Composite Monthly ContributionLAB, FIN
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Hawaii employers pay more toward health coverage
Beginning January 1, 2026, Hawaii’s Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund base monthly employer contribution rises 5.2% above its January 1, 2025 amount. Starting in 2027, each calendar year’s contribution adjusts the prior year-end amount using earlier Medicare Part B premium changes. The formula compares premiums at the start of the previous year with premiums at the start of the year before that. For example, the 2027 adjustment uses the percentage change from 2025 to 2026; later adjustments also follow increases or decreases. The law takes effect upon approval but does not directly change employee contributions, coverage, or benefits.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ronald D. Kouchi
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/16/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 23 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 49 • No: 0
House vote • 3/28/2025
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 14 • No: 0
House vote • 3/13/2025
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN...
Yes: 47 • No: 0
House vote • 3/11/2025
The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/28/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 23 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2025
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/31/2025
The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act 054, 05/15/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1154).
5/15/2025SenateAct 054, on 05/15/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1154).
5/15/2025HousePassed Final Reading. Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 2 (Senator(s) Fevella, Ihara).
4/16/2025SenateReceived notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 806).
4/16/2025HouseEnrolled to Governor.
4/16/2025SenateReconsideration of action taken on 04-10-25 in disagreeing to the House amendments.
4/15/2025SenateSenate agrees with House amendments. Placed on the calendar for Final Reading on 04-16-25.
4/15/2025SenateOne Day Notice 04-16-25
4/15/2025SenateReceived notice of reconsideration and Senate agreement (Sen. Com. No. 786).
4/15/2025HouseReceived from House (Hse. Com. No. 682).
4/10/2025SenateSenate disagrees with House amendments.
4/10/2025SenateReceived notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 779).
4/10/2025HousePassed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Marten excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
4/8/2025HouseReported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1992) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
4/4/2025HouseForty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 04-08-25.
4/4/2025HouseThe committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 14 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Alcos, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Hussey, Ward.
3/28/2025HouseBill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Friday, 03-28-25 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
3/25/2025HouseReported from LAB (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1180) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
3/13/2025HousePassed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Holt, Ward, Woodson excused (4).
3/13/2025HouseThe committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Lee, M., Garrett, Kapela, Kong; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Reyes Oda.
3/11/2025HouseBill scheduled to be heard by LAB on Tuesday, 03-11-25 9:30AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
3/6/2025HousePass First Reading
3/4/2025HouseReferred to LAB, FIN, referral sheet 18
3/4/2025HouseReport Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 2 (Senator(s) Fukunaga, Kidani). Transmitted to House.
2/28/2025SenateReceived from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 54).
2/28/2025House
Bill Text
Bill Text
Original
SB1359_HD1
SB1359_HD2
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