STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1443

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 192

S.D. 1

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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 192, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Human Services to administer and provide public assistance during a state of emergency to certain persons who are unable to provide sufficient support for themselves or those dependent on them.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Primary Care Association. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committees find that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has severely threatened the health and welfare of the State's residents, especially those in underprivileged and rural communities. Currently, there is no financial assistance program for able-bodied individuals between the ages of eighteen and sixty-five who are able to work, do not have minor dependents, and do not have a work history to access unemployment insurance benefits. This measure will provide a new state-funded financial assistance program for these individuals during a declared state of emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 192, S.D. 1, 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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair