Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1303 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to reimburse the State for contributions made by the State to the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by OHA. Testimony in opposition to the measure was submitted by the Hawaiian Political Action Council of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that this is a housekeeping measure. Section 10-12, Hawaii Revised Statutes, provides that officers and employees of OHA are entitled to be included in any benefit program generally applicable to officers and employees of the State. Therefore, OHA, as an employer, is obligated to reimburse the State for any contributions the State makes to the health benefits trust fund.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1303, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.