Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 569, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide an emergency appropriation of $14.5 million to the Program Planning, Analysis and Budgeting (BUF 101) program for the employer's share of contributions for employee and retiree health benefits.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that last year, the moneys originally appropriated to cover the State's portion of premiums payable to the Public Employees' Health Fund were reallocated by the Governor to pay for the operating expenses of the Hawaii Convention Center. Your Committee believes that the measure is necessary to ensure that the State's portion of health benefits premiums owing to the Public Employees' Health Fund are paid.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 569, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.