HI HB2153

Establishes the Kūpaʻa Law Enforcement Retention Bonus Program within the Department of Law Enforcement, providing $15,000 annual retention bonuses to eligible full-time sworn officers beginning July 1, 2026

Officers must work a minimum of 2,000 hours during the preceding fiscal year, including regular duty, approved overtime, sick leave, and vacation leave to qualify

Retention bonuses are non-base, non-pensionable one-time payments that do not affect retirement benefits or salary-based calculations, and must be negotiated through collective bargaining

Program addresses compensation disparities between state law enforcement and county police departments, which have caused recruitment and retention difficulties due to Hawaii's high cost of living

Program runs through June 30, 2028, with a required effectiveness report due to the legislature by December 1, 2028, evaluating vacancy rates, turnover, and cost savings