STAND. COM. REP. NO. 477

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 609

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 609 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to create an advisory group to recommend to the legislature improvements to the administration of the employment and training fund and provide for transfer of reverted revenues to the employment and training fund.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this bill from the Workforce Development Council of the State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.  The Hawaii Business League opposed the bill.

     The Workforce Development Council stated that "Between 2003 and 2005, several WDC members participated in a National Governors' Association project that focused on Hawaii's education and workforce development needs.  One of its recommendations was that the state adopt a goal to 'Implement policies and practices designed to increase the number of incumbent workers involved in post-secondary education and training by developing support for companies who encourage such opportunities for their employees, including non-management workers.' . . . The result will be larger numbers of better-prepared workers available to support and maintain Hawaii's economy.  It will also mean greater opportunity, higher pay, and an improved standard of living for Hawaii's people."  This bill will help achieve this goal. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 609 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair