STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3114

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2472

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor and Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 2472, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND STAFF SALARIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Board of Trustees of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (Trust Fund) to establish the salary for the Assistant Administrator of the Trust Fund.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Trustees of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, and University of Hawaii Professional Assembly.

Your Committee finds that salaries for senior executives of private sector health plan administrators far outpace those in state employment, making it challenging for the Trust Fund to attract and retain qualified executive staff. Your Committee further finds that the Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund should be allowed to set a competitive salary for its assistant administrator position to recruit and retain experienced leadership capable of managing the day-to-day operations of the Trust Fund. This measure will allow the Trust Fund to recruit and retain high-quality personnel to enhance long-term operational stability.

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 H.B. No. 2472, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair