STAND. COM. REP. NO.  363

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 1406

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Labor & Public Employment and Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1406 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to create a new bargaining unit for emergency first responder medical personnel and water safety officers employed by the State or counties.

     The Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, the Kauai Lifeguard Association, and numerous concerned individuals supported this bill.

     First responder medical personnel and water safety officers employed by the State or counties are currently represented by bargaining units designated for secretaries and clerks.  First responder medical personnel and water safety officers have specific needs and issues that are unique from white collar positions.  A new bargaining unit will provide for the proper collective bargaining representation exclusively for first responder medical personnel and water safety officers.

     Your Committees recommend that the Finance Committee consider combining the bargaining units of:

     (1)  First responder medical personnel and water safety officers employed by the State or counties; and

      (2) State law enforcement officers.

     For reference, in addition to this bill, H.B. No. 1167, also introduced this session, establishes new collective bargaining units for state law enforcement officers.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Labor & Public Employment and Public Safety & Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1406 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Labor & Public Employment and Public Safety & Military Affairs,

____________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair

____________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair