STAND. COM. REP. NO. 674

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1572

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1572, 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 a new collective bargaining unit exclusively for employees of the City and County of Honolulu's Emergency Services Department.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the United Public Workers and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Office of Collective Bargaining.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and City and County of Honolulu Department of Human Resources.

Your Committee finds that City and County of Honolulu Emergency Services Department employees face challenges that are not shared with other members of their current bargaining units and are therefore rarely addressed in collective bargaining negotiations. Establishing a bargaining unit exclusive to those employees will help them to address staffing shortages and other problems. Further, the establishment of a separate bargaining unit for employees of the City and County of Honolulu Emergency Services Department would treat these employees in a manner similar to firefighters, police officers, and lifeguards who are each currently represented by a unique bargaining unit.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1572, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair