THE SENATE

THE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2007

COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY AND LABOR

Senator Clayton Hee, Chair

Senator Russell S. Kokubun, Vice Chair

NOTICE OF DECISION MAKING

DATE:	Thursday, March 22, 2007
TIME:	10:30 a.m.
PLACE:	Conference Room 229 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

HB 751 HD1 (HSCR1159)	RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT SECURITY. Clarifies the time period in which the department of labor and industrial relations may expend funds appropriated under Act 190, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006.  Clarifies restrictions on the use of funds. Effective June 29, 2007.  (HB751 HD1)	JDL, WAM
HB 1292 HD1 (HSCR928)	RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM. Repeals provisions that allow: elective officers to exercise their option to join the ERS at any time during their term of office; and elective officers and judges to withdraw from ERS membership while remaining in office.  Repeals the provisions that make ERS membership by elective officers optional and replaces those provisions with a new section that requires elective officers to exercise a one-time irrevocable option to join the ERS when they are elected for the first time (or, in the case of existing office holders, by February 1, 2008).  Sets forth the circumstances under which retirants may return to service as elective officers without suspension of retirement benefits.  Repeals the provision that allows elective officers and judges who have reached the statutory cap on retirement benefits to withdraw from ERS membership by nominally retiring even though they remain in office.  (HB1292 HD1)	JDL, WAM
HB 1500 HD2 (HSCR1171)	RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT SECURITY. Raises the maximum weekly unemployment benefit to 80% of the average weekly wage.  Changes employer's contribution rates for the fiscal year 2007-2008 to 65% of amount and thereafter to 75% of the amount.  Reduces adequate reserve fund amount after 2007.  (HB1500 HD2)	JDL, WAM

AS THIS IS A DECISION MAKING MEETING, NO TESTIMONY WILL BE ACCEPTED.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids or services to participate in the public hearing process (i.e., sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the committee clerk 24 hours prior to the hearing so arrangements can be made.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-6911.

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Senator Clayton Hee

Chair