STAND

STAND. COM. REP. NO.3407

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.C.R. No. 7

S.D. 1

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 S.C.R. No. 7, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE TANF REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2001,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to express support for passage of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Reauthorization Act of 2001 (H.R. 3113), to provide assistance to families with children.

The measure also suggests the following amendments to the TANF Reauthorization Act of 2001:

(1) Education should not exceed five years, coupled with at least a minimal employment requirement, to meet the definition of employment;

(2) A mother's ability to stay home to care for her child should mirror the practice of the non-assistance community, usually no more than one year; and

(3) The mandatory payment levels should be eliminated as this removes the block grant funding approach and would increase costs significantly.

Your Committee notes that H.R. 3113 maintains the five-year lifetime limit on federal assistance, but improves upon the central goal of assisting recipients to achieve self-sufficiency through education, training, work supports, and access to high-wage jobs. H.R. 3113 also addresses barriers to economic self-sufficiency, such as domestic violence, mental or physical disability, and substance abuse, and restores full access to benefits for qualified immigrants.

Your Committee finds that H.R. 3113 provides for assistance to families with children in a fair and reasonable manner, while maintaining fiscal responsibility with respect to the cost of such assistance.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 7, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

		____________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair