H.R. 146 Summary

• Urges the Department of Human Resources Development to establish a working group to examine recruitment and retention issues for Hawaii state public employees, citing over 3,000 current vacancies in state executive agencies.

• Working group membership includes the DHRD Director (chair), administrator of Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, Executive Director of Employees' Retirement System, one public sector HR professional (selected by House Speaker), one private sector HR professional (selected by Senate President), representatives from state employee collective bargaining units, and other agency representatives as deemed appropriate.

• Working group must examine applicant response times, position descriptions across state departments, pay disparities between public and private sector workers, health insurance premium disparities, mandatory retirement system participation impacts, and flexible work options like four-day work weeks.

• Working group is required to serve until objectives are accomplished or twenty days before the 2024 legislative session, whichever occurs first.

• Chairperson must submit a report to the Legislature with findings, recommendations, and draft legislation no later than twenty days before the 2024 Regular Session.