Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Labor and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 787 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow the governor and county mayors to grant their employees who are certified American Red Cross (Red Cross) disaster volunteers up to thirty days paid leave of absence to perform disaster relief services with the Red Cross.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Human Resources Development, Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross, HGEA-AFSCME, and Hawai'i Nurses' Association.

Your Committees find that state and county employees who are certified American Red Cross disaster volunteers should be provided paid time off to assist in the State's response and recovery efforts during official disasters. According to the DOD, many other states and jurisdictions have similar laws that have contributed to their ability to respond and recover from disasters and emergencies. This measure would also provide an incentive for state and county employees to become certified American Red Cross disaster volunteers, thereby increasing the pool of qualified volunteers.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Labor and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 787 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.