STAND. COM. REP. NO.  615-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2790

      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 Committees on Public Safety & Military Affairs and Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2790 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADULT CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AND YOUTH CORRECTIONS OFFICERS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve recruitment and retention of adult corrections and youth corrections officers and provide a fair balance of benefits among law enforcement personnel by:

     (1)  Allowing adult corrections and youth corrections officers to receive a retirement benefit unreduced for age after at least 25 years of credited service, of which the last five or more years prior to retirement is credited service in that capacity; and

     (2)  Increasing the percentage of required contributions to the Employees' Retirement System (ERS) Hybrid Plan for adult corrections and youth corrections officers.

     The United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Budget and Finance and ERS Board of Trustees opposed this measure.  The Department of Public Safety and Department of the Attorney General (AG) submitted comments.

     Corrections officers provide a vital service to the people of Hawaii, with many suffering the same stresses and hazards of other law enforcement officers.  As such, these officers should be afforded the same retirement benefits as other public safety officers.  Not only will these benefits allow for the retention of qualified personnel, but it will also help in attracting recruits.

     However, your Committees note that allowing corrections officers to retire after 25 years of service may also reduce the number of officers currently employed.  Thus, it should be stipulated that a corrections officer must also reach a minimum age before being afforded this benefit.  Your Committees also note the concerns raised by the AG regarding the title of this bill.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring that adult corrections and youth corrections officers attain the age of 55 before being eligible to retire with an unreduced retirement benefit;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety & Military Affairs and Labor & Public Employment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2790, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2790, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety & Military Affairs and Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________ ALEX M. SONSON, Chair

____________________________ CINDY EVANS, Chair