Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1545 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to exclude members of collective bargaining unit (12) from the definition of "employee" under the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this bill from the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, also known as SHOPO. Your Committee received comments on this bill from Department of Budget and Finance and HGEA/AFSCME Local 152.

Your Committee finds that bargaining unit (12) consists of police officers who, presently, are encompassed within the definition of "employee" under the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund. Accordingly, like other employees of the State and counties, bargaining unit (12) members receive health benefits under the trust fund. This measure would permit police officers more flexibility in obtaining health benefits.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1545 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Labor & Public Employment.