STAND. COM. REP. NO. 375-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1638

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1638, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COUNTY LABOR STANDARDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to give the counties the authority to:

(1) Require employers to disclose information regarding its employees' wages, benefits, hours, and employment status, except for employees primarily engaged in harbor-related operations; and

(2) Deny, revoke, or suspend a building permit application for violating laws relating to wages, benefits, hours, and employment status.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; two members of the Maui County Council; two members of the Honolulu City Council; Pacific Resource Partnership; and Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Building Industry Association of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that there have been recent reports of labor abuse at certain construction projects in the State with workers being subjected to unsafe conditions, wage theft, and being denied required benefits. Your Committee believes that the authority given to the counties in this measure will help stop unscrupulous actors more efficiently, thereby ensuring workers in the State are working under just and fair conditions.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1638, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair