Report Title:
Unemployment Benefits
Description:
Extends unemployment benefits for former employees of Amfac Sugar Kauai. (HB1586 CD1)
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1586 |
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TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 2 |
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C.D. 1 |
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RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State of Hawaii has significant historic roots in the sugar industry. The sugar industry dominated and drove the Hawaiian economy for over a hundred years. It also led to the migration of thousands of workers from China, Japan, the Philippines, Portugal, and other areas of the world. Many of these workers stayed in Hawaii to form a "melting pot" of cultures and racial groups.
It is with regret that Hawaii has recently seen the demise of the sugar industry along with the closure of the State's largest sugar-producing companies. In addition to losing a part of Hawaiian history, the industry's demise has also resulted in the displacement of many plantation and company workers. These workers now depend upon public assistance as they make the transition to new occupations and lives. Unfortunately, job opportunities for these workers are sparse and many are having difficulties finding jobs. In addition, the unemployment benefits for these workers are running out.
The purpose of this Act is to provide assistance for displaced sugar workers by extending their unemployment benefits.
SECTION 2. Notwithstanding section 383-24, Hawaii Revised Statutes, unemployment insurance benefits for the displaced employees of Amfac Sugar Kauai shall be extended for an additional period of six months; provided that to receive extended unemployment insurance benefits under this Act, the displaced employees of Amfac Sugar Kauai shall be enrolled in and attending an approved vocational training or education program under section 383-29(e), Hawaii Revised Statutes, or section 3304(a)(8) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, as amended, and meet all other conditions of eligibility that apply under chapter 383, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
For the purpose of this Act, "displaced employees of Amfac Sugar Kauai" means individuals who:
(1) Are unemployed due to lack of work from Amfac Sugar Kauai on or after June 30, 2000;
(2) Filed an unemployment insurance claim as a result of paragraph (1), establishing an applicable benefit year for purposes of this Act;
(3) Have exhausted all rights to receive regular unemployment insurance benefits entitled under paragraph (2); and
(4) Cannot receive unemployment insurance benefits under any State or federal program after rights to unemployment insurance benefits under the applicable year were exhausted.
SECTION 3. The amount payable for extended unemployment compensation to displaced employees of Amfac Sugar Kauai shall be equal to the unemployment insurance weekly benefit amount payable pursuant to the applicable benefit year.
SECTION 4. If any part of this Act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition for the allocation of federal funds or certification to the State, the conflicting part of this Act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this Act in its application to the agencies concerned. Any rules adopted pursuant to this Act shall meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds or certification to the State.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that this Act shall be repealed on June 30, 2003.