Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Labor & Public Employment and Economic Development & Business Concerns, to which was referred H.B. No. 2691 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that employees are paid the prevailing wage by allowing a joint labor-management committee to pursue civil action against employers who fail to pay their employees the prevailing wage.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association and Hawaii Carpenters Union testified in support of this bill. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Hawaii Chapter opposed this measure.

Your Committee finds that under current law, employees may take civil action against employers who do not pay prevailing wages; however, lack of information and resources often prevent employees from seeking redress. Allowing labor-management committees, who possess experience and expertise in the construction industry, to also pursue legal action against employers will help improve enforcement of the existing law.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Labor & Public Employment and Economic Development & Business Concerns that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2691 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.