Hawaii SCR85: Requesting the Department of Human Resources Development to Collaborate with State Departments, Agencies, and Labor Organizations in Completing the Comprehensive Review of the Classification and Compensation Systems for All Civil Service Positions Under Its Jurisdiction.

What the bill says

From the introduced text:

THE SENATE S.C.R. NO. THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 STATE OF HAWAII MAR 1 6 2026 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN COMPLETING THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION SYSTEMS FOR ALL CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION. WHEREAS, state agencies are experiencing a significant labor shortage that is anticipated to worsen; and WHEREAS, according to the Department of Human Resources Development's (DHRD) 2026 annual report to the Legislature, as of November 1, 2025, there were 4,273 vacant civil service positions in its human resources management system, representing a twenty-four percent vacancy rate, and four hundred eighty-five positions had been vacant for four years or more; and WHEREAS, DHRD also reported that nearly thirty percent of existing state employees will be eligible for retirement in the next four years; and WHEREAS, the class specifications for state positions defining the duties and responsibilities, level of difficulty and authority, and minimum qualifications for the respective classes, and the compensation for these positions have become outdated, contributing to the State's struggle to recruit, hire, and retain employees; and WHEREAS, recognizing that modernization of state position classification and compensation systems is essential to attract and retain qualified employees. Act 180, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025 (Act 180) directed DHRD to …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Brandon Elefante (D, 16) · primary sponsor
• Stanley Chang (D, 9)
• Troy Hashimoto (D, 5)
• Jarrett Keohokalole (D, 24)
• Angus McKelvey (D, 6)
• Karl Rhoads (D, 13)
• Tim Richards (D, SD-004)

Latest actions

1. May 12, 2026: Certified copies of resolutions sent, 05-12-26.
2. April 21, 2026: Resolution adopted in final form.
3. April 21, 2026: Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 790).
4. April 20, 2026: Transmitted to Senate.
5. April 20, 2026: Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Woodson excused (3).
6. April 20, 2026: Reported from LAB (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2232-26), recommending adoption.
7. April 16, 2026: The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Lee, M., Garrett, Kapela, Kong, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
8. April 13, 2026: Resolution scheduled to be heard by LAB on Thursday, 04-16-26 9:00AM in conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
9. April 10, 2026: Referred to LAB, referral sheet 27
10. April 8, 2026: Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 433).

Votes

• Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Woodson excused (3) (April 20, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
• LAB: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 16, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
• LBT: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 27, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SCR85?

SCR85 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Requesting the Department of Human Resources Development to Collaborate with State Departments, Agencies, and Labor Organizations in Completing the Comprehensive Review of the Classification and Compensation Systems for All Civil Service Positions Under Its Jurisdiction.

What is the status of SCR85?

Passed both chambers as of April 21, 2026. Latest action: Certified copies of resolutions sent, 05-12-26. (May 12, 2026).

Who sponsored SCR85?

Brandon Elefante (D, 16), with 6 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SCR85?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SCR&billnumber=85&year=2026