Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2911, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to encourage professionals to serve on advisory committees by authorizing the payment of $100 for each consultation or case review completed by an advisory committee member. This measure also requires that lists of potential advisory committee members, for appointment by the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Director), be submitted on a biennial rather than an annual basis.

Testimony in support of this bill was provided by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) and the Hawaii Association of Realtors.

Your Committee finds that advisory committee members serve as experts and consultants to professional and vocational boards and the Director, in their review of licensees for possible disciplinary action, and in other licensing matters. This measure recognizes the importance of these individuals, who currently serve without compensation, and whose expertise assists the DCCA in conducting prompt investigations of complaints.

Your Committee finds that he expense of compensating advisory committee members, whether at the current $100 or the DCCA's preferred level of $200, will not be substantial, and is a choice better left to the discretion of the Finance Committee.

Your Committee has amended this bill to clarify that the payments will come from the Compliance Resolution Fund.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2911, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2911, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.