STAND. COM. REP. NO.  948

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.R. No. 49

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.R. No. 49 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE FOURTH TUESDAY IN APRIL AS EQUAL PAY DAY IN HAWAII, AND URGING CONGRESS TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE REMEDIES FOR VICTIMS OF WAGE DISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENDER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to address pay disparity based on gender by:

(1)  Recognizing the fourth Tuesday in April as Equal Pay Day in Hawaii; and

(2)  Urging Congress to support legislation to provide more effective remedies for victims of wage discrimination based on gender.

     The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i, Community Alliance on Prisons, Hawai‘i Women's Coalition, Hawai‘i State Democratic Womens' Caucus, and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission submitted comments.

     Your Committee amended this resolution by:

(1)  Clarifying that the median income of older women is approximately half (rather than almost half) of what it is for older men; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 49, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 49, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair