STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 495
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2023
RE: H.B. No. 57
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2023
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 57, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Authorize wages of other employees in comparable employment to be considered when computing the average weekly wages of an injured public board member, reserve police officer, police chaplain, reserve public safety law enforcement officer, sheriffs' chaplain, volunteer firefighter, volunteer boating enforcement officer, or volunteer conservation and resources enforcement officer; and
(2) Clarify the computation of average weekly wages of an injured volunteer firefighter for workers' compensation benefits purposes.
Your Committee finds that under existing law, for various volunteer positions, including volunteer firefighters, volunteer boating enforcement officers, and reserve police officers, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is prohibited from considering the wages of other employees in comparable employment when computing the average weekly wages. This results in those positions not being afforded all the benefits available to similar non-volunteer positions. This measure corrects that discrepancy in treatment, thereby ensuring those who volunteer are fairly compensated for their work.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 57, 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce,
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____________________________ MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair |
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