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Bill Summary · HB 13

Legislative bill overview

HB 13 is a workers' compensation bill introduced in Hawaii by Sam Kong that has been referred to the Labor, Consumer Protection, and Finance committees. The bill was introduced in January 2025 and carried over to the 2026 legislative session, suggesting it requires additional development or lacks sufficient support for passage in the current term.

Why is this important

Workers' compensation legislation directly affects injured workers' benefits, employer insurance costs, and the overall health and safety framework for Hawaii's workforce. Changes to these statutes can significantly impact medical coverage, wage replacement, dispute resolution processes, and economic competitiveness for Hawaii businesses.

Potential points of contention

  • Lack of specific details: Without access to the bill's full text, the nature of proposed changes is unknown—stakeholders from labor unions, employer associations, and insurance companies may have opposing interests depending on whether it expands or restricts benefits
  • Multi-committee referral complexity: Jurisdiction across LAB, CPC, and FIN committees suggests the bill has broad implications affecting labor rights, consumer protections, and state finances, potentially creating coordination challenges
  • Carryover status: The bill's deferral to 2026 may indicate unresolved disputes among stakeholders or insufficient legislative support during the 2025 session

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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