STAND. COM. REP. NO.  20-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2184

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2184 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to establish and keep current a self-sufficiency standard reflecting the minimum income required to meet basic needs in Hawaii, and appropriate funds for an additional position for DBEDT for this purpose.

     The Hawaii Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Women Work!, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development testified in support of this bill.  DBEDT supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Human Services provided comments.

     Your Committee notes that DBEDT's testimony indicated that it currently is sufficiently staffed, but would appreciate using the funds appropriated in this measure to ensure a comprehensive study on the self-sufficiency standard.  The testimony indicates that $30,000 to $50,000 would be necessary for the study.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Clarifying and expanding items that should be considered in calculating the self-sufficiency standard;

     (2)  Requiring biannual updates of the self-sufficiency standard;

     (3)  Specifying that the standard should incorporate existing methods of calculation;

     (4)  Replacing provisions that DBEDT consider the use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Workforce Investment Act funds, with the requirement that DBEDT recommend the procurement or use of federal funds whenever appropriate in establishing and updating the self-sufficiency standard;

     (5)  Changing the appropriation to be used for a study instead of a position for DBEDT; and

     (6)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2184, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2184, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Housing,

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair