HI HB1146

Removes graduate students employed by the University of Hawaii from the statutory list of state employees barred from collective bargaining unit participation.

Permits graduate assistants at the University of Hawaii system to participate in an appropriate collective bargaining unit and seek unionization.

Modifies Hawaii Revised Statutes section 89-6(f)(15) to exclude University of Hawaii graduate students from the "student help" category that prevents unionization.

Addresses concerns about graduate assistant compensation (unchanged since 2004), lack of sick leave, increased workload due to budget constraints, and loss of grievance resolution mechanisms like the ombudsman office.

Effective January 1, 2525.