STAND. COM. REP. NO. 49

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 725

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 Labor and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 725 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELEWORKING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) to submit an annual report to the Legislature on the telework policies of the executive branch; and

(2) Appropriate funds for DHRD to compile an annual report on the telework policies of the executive branch, including the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position within DHRD.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Department of Human Resources Development, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Transform Hawai'i Government, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that as each department implements the updated telework program guidelines developed by DHRD, it is necessary to have measures and metrics in place to ensure the effective and efficient adoption of telework strategies in the executive branch. Your Committee further finds that annual data on telework adoption and usage in the executive branch will help guide future legislation, policy recommendations, and decision-making relating to teleworking in the State.

Your Committee notes the oral testimony of DHRD expressing the need for a one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent telework coordinator position who will ensure the timely submission of the annual report to the Legislature required by this measure and who will be tasked with researching best practices and technological solutions to manage telework policy in the executive branch. Your Committee finds that this issue merits further consideration and examination by your Committee on Ways and Means, should it choose to hear this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding language that requires DHRD to include in its annual report metrics on the productivity of telework employees by each department of the executive branch;

(2) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 725, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 725, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor and Technology,

________________________________

SHARON MORIWAKI, Chair