STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2775

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2257

       H.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 2257, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize an individual who is:

     (1)  Attached to a regular employer who is not offering work;

     (2)  Receiving partial unemployment benefits; and

     (3)  Exempt from work search and registration for work requirements,

to still receive unemployment insurance benefits even if that individual voluntarily or involuntarily separates from part-time employment, with or without good cause.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by two private organizations.  Testimony in opposition of this measure was submitted by one state agency and two private organizations.  Comments on this measure were submitted by one private organization.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that it is appropriate and rational to allow an individual who is attached to a regular employer that is not offering work to still receive unemployment insurance benefits if the individual is separated from a part-time employer.  Your Committee also finds that allowing an individual to collect unemployment insurance benefits even if the individual separates from part-time employment will encourage unemployed individuals who are attached to a regular employer to seek out other gainful employment opportunities, which consequently would have a positive impact on the economy in this State.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2257, H.D. 2, 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 Labor,

____________________________

DWIGHT Y. TAKAMINE, Chair