HB1890 would create a statutory framework for annual salary step increases and longevity step increases for Hawaii public school teachers and public charter school teachers, if those increases are negotiated into a collective bargaining agreement under state labor law. The bill applies to teachers who complete one year of satisfactory service for annual increments, and to teachers who have spent three years at the maximum increment step or a longevity step for longevity increases, so long as they meet applicable employment and certification requirements.
The bill’s findings emphasize that Hawaii teachers’ pay is especially low when adjusted for the state’s cost of living and that teacher turnover is high, with many educators leaving within five years. Based on those findings, the measure is intended to support recruitment and retention by making salary progression more automatic for eligible teachers. The bill also sets an effective date of July 1, 2026.
Impact
HB1890 would amend Chapters 302A and 302D of the Hawaii Revised Statutes by adding new provisions governing teacher salary increases for both Department of Education schools and public charter schools. It does not itself set specific dollar amounts; instead, it establishes eligibility rules for annual and longevity step increases and ties implementation to collective bargaining under section 89-9, HRS. Any agreement requiring public funds would be unenforceable unless the Legislature makes a specific appropriation, preserving legislative control over funding.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support in the legislative process. The available votes in Senate committees and conference committees were unanimous, with no recorded opposition, and the bill was transmitted to the Governor. The discussion reflected a generally favorable view of the measure as a response to teacher pay concerns and retention challenges.
Contention
The main policy tension is between providing predictable salary growth for teachers and preserving legislative discretion over spending. The bill makes the increases contingent on collective bargaining and on a specific appropriation, so supporters seeking stronger pay guarantees may view the funding condition as limiting the bill’s practical effect, while fiscal-minded lawmakers may favor that safeguard. Another point of concern is that the bill does not mandate automatic raises outright; it requires negotiation into a contract and legislative funding, which means implementation depends on future bargaining and budget decisions.
A resolution to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to only present to the Governor enrolled House bills finally passed by both houses of the One Hundred Third Legislature.
Relating to nonsubstantive additions to, revisions of, and corrections in enacted codes, to the nonsubstantive codification or disposition of various laws omitted from enacted codes, and to conforming codifications enacted by the 88th Legislature to other Acts of that legislature.