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Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 859: RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 859 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 17, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT. Primary sponsor: AQUINO, Stanley Chang (Democratic), Kurt Fevella (Republican), Carol Fukunaga (Democratic), Mike Gabbard (Democratic), Angus McKelvey (Democratic), Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Tim Richards (Democratic), Joy San Buenaventura (Democratic). It lists 2 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (December 8, 2025): Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Establishes a paid family leave program for state and county employees. Authorizes a qualifying employee to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth or placement of a child or to care for a family member who has a serious health condition. Requires the employee to agree to subsequently work for the employer for at least 12 weeks upon return to service except under certain conditions.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 9 · Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
AQUINOPrimary sponsorNot applicable (committee)——
Stanley ChangPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate9
Kurt FevellaPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate20
Carol FukunagaPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate11
Mike GabbardPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate21
Angus McKelveyPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate6
Karl RhoadsPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate13
Tim RichardsPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate4
Joy San BuenaventuraPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate2
Brandon ElefanteCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate16
Troy HashimotoCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate5

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
  2. Referred to LBT, WAM/JDC.
  3. Passed First Reading.
  4. Introduced.

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source