HI HB2472

Appropriates general revenue funds for fiscal year 2016-2017 to establish three permanent labor law enforcement specialist IV positions and two permanent labor law enforcement specialist III positions in the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations' Wage Standards Division.

Addresses a backlog of approximately 420 wage complaints as of October 2015, including 211 prevailing wage claims against 58 employers on 150 projects, which the division cannot adequately process with current staffing.

Restores positions that were eliminated during a 2009 reduction-in-force to enable the department to enforce Hawaii's wage laws, including prevailing wage requirements on public works projects using taxpayer funds.

Notes the division receives an average of 56 prevailing wage complaints annually but completes only about 35 per year on average, creating an unsustainable backlog without additional resources.

Takes effect on July 1, 2076.