Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 49 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow police radio dispatchers to retire after at least twenty-five years of credited service.

Testimony in support of the measure was received from the Honolulu Police Department and the Hawaii Government Employees Association.

Testimony in opposition of the measure was received from the Department of Budget and Finance. The Employees' Retirement System submitted comments on the measure and is in the process of working with its actuary to develop a cost estimate if the measure is enacted.

Your Committee finds that existing law does not allow police radio dispatchers with at least twenty-five years of credited service and who are not at least fifty-five of age (for contributory members), or sixty-two years of age (for noncontributory members), to retire without an actuarial age penalty as it does for other law enforcement and public safety positions, including police officers, firefighters, water safety officers, and investigators.

Your Committee also finds that police radio dispatchers perform their duties under highly stressful and continually demanding circumstances. The provision of further benefits, as provided to other public safety and law enforcement officers, is necessary to allow for the retention and recruitment of qualified police radio dispatchers and supervisors.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 49 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.