Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1758, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the reduction of unemployment benefits from individuals who receive pension payments under the Social Security Act or Railroad Retirement Act of 1974.

Your Committee finds that currently, state unemployment benefits may be reduced for certain individuals receiving social security or railroad retirement pensions. The reduction hits the pocketbooks of seniors at the worst possible time -- when they are out-of-work, probably on a fixed income and suffering from inadequate pension plans, diminishing health benefits, loss of stock or bond investments, or dwindling annuity or savings accounts.

To assist these seniors, this bill removes the reduction for social security and railroad retirement pensions to allow seniors to enjoy the full amount of their unemployment benefits.

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 H.B. No. 1758, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.