Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2531, H.D. 2, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the time and dollar limitations on the reimbursement of payments made to persons entitled to continue health insurance coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act ("COBRA") and who lost their employment related group health insurance following the September 11 incident.

Specifically, this measure amends Act 6, Third Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2001, by limiting the reimbursement of COBRA payments for fiscal year 2001-2002 to the period from September 11, 2001 to June 30, 2002, or until the appropriation of $2,000,000 in general funds has been expended, whichever occurs sooner.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2531, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.