STAND. COM. REP. NO. 998

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 313

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 S.B. No. 313 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Reduce the number of members on the State Rehabilitation Council (Council) from twenty-one to fifteen; and

(2) Authorize the Council to establish quorum and conduct business without regard to vacancies.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, State Rehabilitation Council, and Hawaii Disability Rights Center.

Your Committee finds that this measure aligns the State's statute regarding the membership size, determination of quorum, and term limits of the Council with federal requirements. This measure not only ensures that the Council can fulfill its duties and responsibilities, but also that the State retains federal funding for vocational rehabilitation services.

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 S.B. No. 313 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