STAND. COM. REP. NO.  277

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 485

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Human Services & Housing and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 485 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROCUREMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to support persons with disabilities and individuals who are receiving public assistance by giving preference to those bidders who hire such individuals when the government contracts for goods, services, or construction.

     The State Rehabilitation Council testified in support of this bill.  The Workforce Development Council and State Procurement Office supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Human Services (DHS) provided comments.

     While there was general support for the intent of this measure, many of the testifiers agreed that the details need to be developed further.

     Accordingly, your Committees have amended this bill by:

     (1)  Creating separate provisions for persons with disabilities and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families;

     (2)  Requiring DHS to establish registries of persons with disabilities and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families who are seeking employment and are employable;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2020, to encourage further discussion; and

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

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services & Housing and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 485, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 485, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services & Housing and Health,

____________________________ JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair

____________________________ MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair