In response to emergency needs within the community following the events of September 11, 2001, the Legislature met in a 3^rd Special Session. During that Special Session, 15 new laws were passed to addresses various emergency situations. Two of those laws were designed to immediately address the escalation in unemployment and the subsequent effects on families and the economy. The Legislature took a two-tiered approach in attacking the problem. First, a safety net was created to provide immediate support to individuals and families to be able to make ends meet during a time of economic upheaval. Second, employment opportunities were provided for those wishing to provide public service.

The Unemployment Insurance Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will be providing an overview and status report on the implementation of Act 7, 3^rd Special Session of 2001. Act 7 created a temporary program that provided up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment insurance benefits to those who became unemployed on or after September 11, 2001.

The Research Corporation of the University Hawaii will provide an overview and status report on the implementation of Act 4, 3^rd Special Session of 2001. Act 4 created an Emergency Environmental Workforce designed to assist in the efforts to: (1) Isolate the spread of dengue fever; (2) Eradicate the miconia plant and other invasive plants; and (3) Reduce coqui frog and fire ant populations.

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Rep. Dwight Y. Takamine