Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2715, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to create an annual allowance to police officers for the maintenance of uniforms, equipment and weapons and appropriates funds to the counties to assist in providing the allowance.

The Attorney General, the City and County of Honolulu, the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, and the Hawaii Government Employees Association submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Budget and Finance, the Maui County Department of Personnel Services, and the Hawaii County Department of Civil Service submitted testimony in opposition.

Hawaii has some of the most qualified police officers in the nation. As a result, many of the police officers are actively recruited by other agencies. The counties are currently experiencing difficulties recruiting and retaining qualified police officers. Their police officers play a crucial role in keeping Hawaii's citizens safe.

Opponents to this measure testified that an allowance is subject to collective bargaining and this measure would interfere with the rights of the employer to negotiate on matters of wages, hours, and other conditions of employment.

Your Committee finds that an appropriation should be made to assist the counties in recruiting and retaining police officers.

Upon further consideration, your Committee amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2715, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2715, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.