STAND. COM. REP. NO.  779

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1566

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1566 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COST ITEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to fund the Hawaii Employer-Union  Health Benefits Trust Fund costs:

(1)  In the agreement negotiated with the exclusive bargaining representatives of collective bargaining units (2),(3),(4),(6),(8),(9), and (13); and

(2)  Authorized by Chapter 89C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for state officers and employees who are excluded from collective bargaining.

     The Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) and HGEA Managerial and Confidential Employees Chapter testified in support of this bill.  The Office of Collective Bargaining supported the intent of this measure.

     Although no sums have been appropriated or authorized from the sources of funding indicated in this measure, your Committee believes that a vehicle for funding this collective bargaining cost item should continue to advance in the Legislature as negotiations between the State and the exclusive bargaining representatives for units (2),(3),(4),(6),(8),(9), and (13) will eventually produce a settlement.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1566 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair