HB 167 Summary

• Establishes 13 separate bargaining unit health benefits trust funds outside the state treasury, one for each public sector bargaining unit, replacing the single employer-union fund structure.

• Renames the existing Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to the Hawaii Public Employee Health Benefits Trust Fund, which will cover public officials, employees excluded from collective bargaining, and retirees.

• Requires the State and counties to negotiate employer contribution amounts to bargaining unit health benefits trust funds as specified dollar amounts in collective bargaining agreements.

• Changes impasse resolution deadlines from January 31 to August 31 of the second year of a fiscal biennium and reduces arbitration hearing timelines from 120 days to 60 days.

• Allows employees in bargaining units 2-4, 6, 8-13 the right to strike over employer contribution amounts for health and other benefits, removing prior restrictions on such strikes.