STAND. COM. REP. NO. 628

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 718

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 718, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services to compile data and identify employers that have numerous employees enrolled in public assistance programs.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Department of Human Services, and Civil Beat Law Center for the Public Interest.

Your Committee finds that there is contention over whether employers are relying on the provision of government assistance to provide lower wages. Your Committee finds that compiling data regarding employers having employees who receive public assistance will allow the Legislature and other policy makers to develop a deeper understanding of the causes and sources of underemployment and poverty wages, and the resulting economic impacts on society, business, and the state budget.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 718, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair