STAND. COM. REP. NO. 564

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 339

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor & Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 339, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM CIVIL SERVICE FOR POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to permanently exempt ten positions in the Department of Human Services from civil service.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Hawaii Family Support Institute, Parents and Children Together, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, Domestic Violence Action Center, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Human Services provides benefits and services to Hawaii residents in need of financial assistance, food assistance, health care coverage, child care subsidies, rental assistance, vocational rehabilitation services, homeless services, and protective services. The Department oversees nearly $4,000,000,000 in funds, more than eighty offices statewide, and a staff of nearly two thousand. The Department of Human Services also provides administrative services to various attached agencies and commissions. Despite these responsibilities, the Department has one director, one deputy director, and two permanent positions that are exempt from civil service.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Human Services needs continuity of leadership with knowledge and experience in the complex safety net programs it administers. This measure will promote continuity and minimize disruption in services by making nine key positions permanent.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting the private secretary to the second deputy director from the proposed civil service exemption because the position is already exempted by section 76-16(b)(9), Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 339, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 339, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Government Operations,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair