Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor and Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1249 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to allow the Board of Trustees of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (Board) to hire independent legal counsel.

The Hawaii Government Employees Association submitted testimony in support of this bill.

Your Committee finds that there are numerous state agencies and offices that are allowed to hire attorneys other than the Attorney General for various reasons. It is difficult for the Attorney General's office to appear impartial when providing legal services affecting both the employer and the unions. Providing the Board with the authority to hire independent legal counsel will eliminate this situation.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor and Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1249 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.