STAND. COM. REP. NO. 554

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1040

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1040, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LAW,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to discourage employers from disregarding health and safety standards in the workplace by raising the civil penalty amounts and criminal fines for violations of the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Law.

     Your Committee received comments in opposition to this measure from Tim Lyons, Executive Director, Roofing Contractors Association of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that penalties for violations of the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Law are intended to deter employers from disregarding their obligations to provide a safe and healthy workplace for employees.  The current penalties were last increased in 1992.  Increasing the penalties will help prevent further violations of health and safety standards.

     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 S.B. No. 1040, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair