STAND. COM. REP. NO. 101-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1645

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 Labor & Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 1645 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE POSITION VACANCIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Human Resources Development to submit an annual report to the Legislature on vacancies in the state Executive Branch.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Resources Development.

Your Committee finds that the Executive Branch workforce is facing high vacancies, which have caused a severe workforce shortage in state government and created a reduction in the quality of government services available to the public. Comprehensive data on the State's vacancies will assist the Legislature in addressing the high number of vacancies in state government and provide context for the impact that these vacancies have on government operations and the delivery of services.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Human Resources Development to include information and data on the vacancies of the Executive Branch as a part of its annual report to the Legislature;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments 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. 1645, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1645, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair