HCR256.DOC

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	256
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

WHEREAS, Hawaii's 25,000 small businesses generate over $2.9 billion in revenue and provide innovative products and services; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that small businesses provide between 80 to 90 percent of the jobs in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, small businesses face numerous challenges in Hawaii, including the high cost of land and labor, high taxes, and the lack of economies of scale; and

WHEREAS, workers' compensation is a significant labor expense for both large and small employers in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, small businesses are reported to face inequities in comparison to large businesses regarding workers'-compensation costs; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism are requested to conduct a study concerning any inequities in workers'-compensation costs between small and large businesses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism jointly submit a report of their findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Labor and Industrial Relations; and Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Workers' Compensation