Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Labor, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 199 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Human Services and Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to examine issues of public assistance involving incentives and requirements to work, and income and asset thresholds that work as disincentives to work.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by an individual. Testimony in opposition was submitted by the Department of Human Services.

Your Committees find that the requests contained in this concurrent resolution are currently being undertaken by the Department of Human Services. However, testimony has been presented that there is an entire group of individuals that are not being addressed. Currently, our State offers services to those who are disabled and are unable to work in a normal capacity. It is the intention of your Committees to pass this measure out so as to continue the discussion of how those with disabilities receiving assistance from the State are being discouraged from employment that is within their capacity.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Labor that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 199 and recommend its adoption.