HI SB2991

Amends Chapter 89, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to authorize the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to adopt rules establishing criteria and procedures for creating new bargaining units.

Allows employees not in existing bargaining units, employers, or exclusive representatives to petition the board and submit applications to establish new bargaining units.

Requires the board to consider at minimum: efficient government administration, fragmentation effects, number of employee organizations, community of interest among employees, and other traditional public sector bargaining unit factors.

Prohibits creation of bargaining units that include both professional and non-professional employees.

Upon approving a new bargaining unit petition, the board must submit a report to the legislature with proposed legislation and its decision and order.

Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 to develop criteria and procedures and establish full-time equivalent positions within the board to implement the new requirements.