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 S.B. No. 33, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a comprehensive statewide telecommuting policy that would apply to eligible employees of state agencies.

Your Committee finds that telecommuting has the potential to provide significant transportation, air quality, energy, time, and quality of life benefits. Government agencies, moreover, can play a significant role in facilitating and encouraging telecommuting.

Your Committee has amended this bill by changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the mechanics and impacts of implementing a telecommuting policy, including consideration of costs, benefits, and public worker union impacts. Technical, nonsubstantive amendments have also been made for the purposes of clarity and style.

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 S.B. No. 33, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 33, S.D. 2.