HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2004

COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT

Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro, Chair

Rep. Bob Nakasone, Vice Chair

Rep. Kirk Caldwell	Rep. Brian K. Blundell
Rep. Ken Ito	Rep. Mark S. Moses
Rep. Romy M. Mindo	Rep. David A. Pendleton
Rep. Joseph M. Souki

NOTICE OF HEARING

DATE:	Tuesday, March 16, 2004
TIME:	8:30 a.m.
PLACE:	Conference Room 309 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A # 1

SB 764 SD1 (SSCR991)	RELATING TO THE WHISTLEBLOWERS' PROTECTION ACT. Expands the protection provided under the Whistleblowers' Protection Act for employees who report situations that demonstrate danger to public health and safety, which they observe during the course of their work. Creates an exception to the two-year statute of limitations period to require commencement for aggrieved employees who are physically or mentally incapacitated to begin upon their return to work. (SD1)	LAB, JUD

SB 3106 SD1 (SSCR2697)	RELATING TO COUNTIES. Allows Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii counties to enter into an agreement with the State to extend the State's mandatory deferred compensation retirement plan to part-time, temporary, and seasonal or casual public employees of the counties. Requires the county to designate a county agency to coordinate the plan. (SD1)	LAB, FIN

For the purpose of receiving testimony and discussion, the committee will be hearing the following bills reflecting the deletion of current contents and the insertion of new language in a proposed amended form.

SB 762 SD1 (SSCR722)	RELATING TO THE EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND. Requires the employer contribution cap on monthly contributions for health benefits plans for retirees to be adjusted annually, beginning July 1, 2002. (SD1)	LAB, FIN

PROPOSED HD1	Expands the eligibility for health insurance benefits of part-time, temporary, and seasonal or casual employees of the State; provided that the employee works at least twenty hours per week for at least four consecutive weeks.

SB 921 SD2 (SSCR992)	RELATING TO HAWAII WORKSITE TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER ACT. Entitles employers to obtain TROs to protect worksite. (SD2)	LAB, JUD

PROPOSED HD1	Establishes a procedure for employers to obtain temporary restraining orders to protect against violence and harassment at the worksite.

SB 2033 SD1 (SSCR2562)	RELATING TO EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC MONEY. Requires contractors on public works construction contracts to comply with department of labor and industrial relations specifications for staffing requirements. (SD1)	LAB, FIN

PROPOSED HD1	Clarifies that the state law requiring payment of prevailing wages applies to all laborers, mechanics, required assistants, helpers, tenders, and apprentices on a public works project, and not only those on the job site.

COPIES OF THE PROPOSED HOUSE DRAFT 1S WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AFTER 12:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2004, AT STATE CAPITOL, ROOM 439.

DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW

PERSONS WISHING TO TESTIFY ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT 40 COPIES OF THEIR TESTIMONY AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING TO: (1) THE COMMITTEE'S VICE CHAIR IN ROOM 424, STATE CAPITOL, OR (2) THE HOUSE SGT.-AT-ARMS TESTIMONY DROP OFF BOX IN THE TURNAROUND AREA OF THE CAPITOL BASEMENT PARKING LOT. TESTIMONY MAY BE FAXED TO THE HOUSE SGT.-AT-ARMS OFFICE AT: 586-6501 (OAHU) OR 1-800-535-3859 (NEIGHBOR ISLANDS). WHEN FAXING, PLEASE INDICATE TO WHOM THE TESTIMONY IS BEING SUBMITTED, THE DATE AND TIME OF THE HEARING, AND THE REQUIRED NO. OF COPIES THAT IS NEEDED FOR SUBMITTAL.

IT IS ALSO REQUESTED THAT THE COPIES BE ON ONE SIDE OF AN 8-1/2" X 11" SHEET WITH TWO HOLES PUNCHED AT THE TOP. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-8505.

IF YOU REQUIRE SPECIAL ASSISTANCE OR AUXILIARY AIDS AND/OR SERVICES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS OF THE STATE HOUSE (I.E., SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY, OR PARKING DESIGNATED FOR THE DISABLED), PLEASE CONTACT THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING SO ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.

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Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro

Chair