Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2556 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide the funds necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005 to cover any salary increases that may be authorized for employees of the Office of the Auditor, the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, the Office of the Legislative Reference Bureau, and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Your Committee finds that salary increases for the staff of the four legislative agencies have historically been aligned with collective bargaining agreements reached between the state and public employee bargaining units. Since collective bargaining negotiations are now on-going, this measure serves as a vehicle to fund any possible salary increases, if an agreement is reached during the legislative session.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2556 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.