STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1583

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 161

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 161, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish that the representative of labor on the Hawaii Labor Relations Board be a person selected by a majority of the exclusive representatives of the collective bargaining units.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers; Hawaii State Teachers Association; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and Hawaii Fire Fighters Association.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Labor Relations Board is composed of three members: a representative of labor, a representative of management, and the chairperson who shall represent the public interest. Under existing law, the representative of labor is appointed by the Governor from a list of three nominees submitted by a majority of the exclusive representatives; however, the Governor also appoints both the representative of management and the chairperson. Since decisions and rulings by the Hawaii Labor Relations Board directly impact every unionized state and county government employee in the State, it is fair and reasonable to allow the exclusive representatives the right to collectively nominate the representative of labor. This measure will ensure that the exclusive representatives' collective voice is strengthened.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 161, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair