All Roll Calls
Yes: 99 • No: 1
HawaiiSB 7162025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)Senate
RELATING TO HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.
Sponsored By: Henry J.C. Aquino (Democratic)
Passed
Summary
Expands the circumstances where the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations may waive the requirements for individuals to register to work and report to an employment office to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Authorize the Department to allow individuals to report to a location other than an employment office or other location approved pursuant to its rules. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires notices of determinations and documentation relating to appeals to be sent electronically, unless the election for mail is made. Allows an individual to change an elected withholding status more than once during a benefit year. Amends the statutory definition of "registered for work" or "registration for work". Repeals the requirement for individuals to post their work availability online to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Repeals the statutory provision for joint experience rating. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
DLIRHawaii Employment Security LawUnemployment BenefitsRegistration for WorkElectronic NoticeWaiverDeregulationLAB, FIN
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Bill Overview
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Henry J.C. Aquino
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Stanley Chang
Democratic • Senate
Kurt Fevella
Republican • Senate
Troy N. Hashimoto
Democratic • Senate
Michelle N. Kidani
Democratic • Senate
Angus L.K. McKelvey
Democratic • Senate
Sharon Y. Moriwaki
Democratic • Senate
Karl Rhoads
Democratic • Senate
III Richards
Democratic • Senate
Joy A. San Buenaventura
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/18/2025
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN...
Yes: 48 • No: 1
House vote • 3/13/2025
The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2025
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2025
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/29/2025
The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 3 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
12/8/2025Reported from LAB (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1324) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
3/18/2025HousePassed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Muraoka voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2).
3/18/2025HouseThe committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Lee, M., Garrett, Kapela, Kong, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
3/13/2025HouseBill scheduled to be heard by LAB on Thursday, 03-13-25 9:00AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
3/10/2025HousePass First Reading
3/6/2025HouseReferred to LAB, FIN, referral sheet 19
3/6/2025HouseReport adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
3/4/2025SenateReceived from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 185) in amended form (SD 2).
3/4/2025HouseReported from WAM/JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 842) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
2/28/2025Senate48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25.
2/28/2025SenateThe committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2/19/2025SenateThe committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.
2/19/2025SenateThe committee(s) on WAM/JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-19-25 10:16AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2/14/2025SenateReported from LBT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 51) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.
2/6/2025SenateReport adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM/JDC.
2/6/2025SenateThe committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in LBT were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Aquino, Lee, C., Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Ihara, Moriwaki.
1/29/2025SenateThe committee(s) on LBT has scheduled a public hearing on 01-29-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
1/24/2025SenateReferred to LBT, WAM/JDC.
1/23/2025SenatePassed First Reading.
1/21/2025SenateIntroduced.
1/17/2025Senate
Bill Text
Bill Text
Original
SB716_HD1
SB716_SD1
SB716_SD2
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