STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1249
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2005
RE: S.B. No. 1750
S.D. 2
H.D. 1
Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2005
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1750, S.D. 2, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT OF TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAMS AND FUNDING EXPENDITURES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this bill is to promote openness in government and proper implementation of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program by requiring the Legislature to:
(1) Conduct joint oversight hearings relating to the implementation of programs funded by TANF moneys; and
(2) Evaluate the implementation of TANF programs and fund expenditures and make annual recommendations for appropriations.
The National Association of Social Workers, Welfare and Employment Rights Coalition, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill. The Department of Health opposed this measure. The Department of Human Services and Attorney General provided comments.
Your Committee recognizes the benefits of the TANF program to many needy families in Hawaii. To ensure that Hawaii is fulfilling the federal requirements set forth for the expenditure of TANF funds, legislative oversight is necessary to make certain that TANF-funded programs are being appropriately implemented and TANF funds are being spent at its optimal level.
Your Committee has amended this bill by:
(1) Specifying that the Senate committees on Ways and Means, Health, and Human Services and House of Representatives committees on Finance, Health, and Human Services shall have joint legislative oversight responsibilities;
(2) Authorizing legislative oversight over the application for Medicaid waivers; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1750, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1750, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,
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____________________________ ALEX M. SONSON, Chair |
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