STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1320
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: H.B. No. 1103
S.D. 1
Honorable Colleen Hanabusa
President of the Senate
Twenty-Fifth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2009
State of Hawaii
Madam:
Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1103, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES AND CENTERS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to conform state law to the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1978 by repealing the statute establishing the Statewide Council on Independent Living.
Your Committee received four written comments on this measure. Written comments may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.
Your Committee finds that federal law requires the State to establish a Statewide Independent Living Council for it to be eligible to receive federal financial assistance. The established entity, however, cannot be established within a state agency.
Your Committee also finds that section 348-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, establishes a Statewide Council on Independent Living within the Department of Human Services. While the current law was well-intended, it is unnecessary and has called the State's eligibility for federal funds into question. The Statewide Independent Living Council can instead be established as part of the Title VII State Plan that each state must have in place to receive federal funds. Your Committee believes that conforming state law to meet federal requirements will ensure that the State continues to receive federal funds for these vital assistance programs.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1103, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,
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____________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair |
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