STAND. COM. REP. NO. 163

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 590

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 590 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE LEGISLATIVE FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS PROGRAM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to extend the date on which the Legislative Federal Economic Stimulus Program Oversight Commission is terminated from June 30, 2011, to December 31, 2011.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one entity.

     As background, Act 150, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, provides exemptions from statutes relating to procurement and rulemaking to allow the State to expedite the implementation or expansion of programs, services, and benefits authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  Act 150 also established a Legislative Federal Economic Stimulus Program Oversight Commission to ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution and implementation of federal economic stimulus program funds and expenditures.

     Your Committee finds that in these times of economic turmoil, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is instrumental in bringing, as soon as possible, additional financial assistance and other social services to Hawaii residents who have been affected by the current economic circumstances as well as improvement and expansion of benefits to the neediest individuals and families in Hawaii.  This measure will help to ensure that these federal funds are distributed and expended in a transparent manner to maximize the effectiveness of the funds.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 590 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 Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs,

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair