HI HB931

Expands the Hawaii Employment Relations Act's definition of "employee" to include independent contractors, who were previously excluded from collective bargaining protections

Extends state collective bargaining protections to all workers subject to the National Labor Relations Act, not just those over whom the National Labor Relations Board has declined jurisdiction

Cites concerns about potential loss of federal collective bargaining rights under "Project 2025" as justification for expanding state-level protections

Notes Hawaii has the highest union density in the United States at 24.1% of wage and salary workers represented by a union (2023 data)

Takes effect upon approval by the governor