STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1269

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.R. No. 150

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.R. No. 150 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO EQUALIZE TRANSIT BENEFITS AND SUBSIDIES FOR ALL STATE EMPLOYEES REGARDLESS OF MODE OF TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to encourage alternate modes of transportation and equalize commuter benefit programs, which currently benefit only those who drive automobiles, by requesting the Director of Human Resources Development to develop and implement a comprehensive pre-tax public transportation benefit program for various modes of transportation so that benefits, including subsidies, are available to all State employees regardless of their mode of transportation.  This measure further requests the Director of Human Resources Development to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the 2016 Regular Session that details the progress made towards implementing the program.

The Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Human Resources Development provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 150 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair