STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1718

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 96

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 96 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND FINANCE TO PROVIDE A STATUS REPORT ON THE HAWAII ABLE SAVINGS PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Budget and Finance to provide a status report on the establishment and implementation of the Hawaii Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that section 256B-3(a)(9), Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires the Director of Finance to conduct an annual evaluation of the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program, prepare an annual report of the evaluation, and submit that report to the Governor and the Legislature.  However, the Department of Budget and Finance has not issued any report since the statute was enacted in 2015.  Your Committee believes that proper reporting by the Director of Finance will assist the Governor, Legislature, and public in monitoring the establishment and implementation of the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program and ensuring accountability so that the program is created in a timely manner.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 96, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair