HB 2159 Summary

• Renames the Hawaii Workforce Development Council as the Hawaii Workforce Development Board and establishes it within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for administrative purposes.

• Requires the governor to appoint an executive director of the board from a list of three nominees submitted by the board, with the executive director exempt from civil service and public employee union requirements.

• Requires the Hawaii Workforce Development Board and local workforce development boards to develop written conflict of interest policies consistent with federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (P.L. 113-128) and Hawaii state law.

• Prohibits board members and local workforce development board members from voting on or participating in discussions regarding matters where they or entities they represent provide services, or matters providing direct financial benefit to them or their immediate family.

• Repeals Section 202-5 regarding organizational relationships and updates all statutory references from "council" to "board" throughout Chapter 202.