STAND. COM. REP. NO.  140-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.B. No. 2217

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2217 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT VACANCIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase government efficiency by:

     (1)  Requiring State agencies to inform the Director of Finance of any job position that has remained vacant for a continuous period of ten years;

     (2)  Allowing for the retention of unfilled positions under certain circumstances; and

     (3)  Providing for the removal of the position and funds for the position if the position has been vacant longer than ten years.

The Department of Budget and Finance testified in opposition to this measure.

     When positions go unfilled for extended periods of time, the funds for those vacant positions are not utilized and have an effect on the State's overall fiscal picture.  While your Committee understands that there are various reasons why positions may go unfilled for lengthy periods of time, positions that have been vacant for ten years or more should be reviewed further.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2217, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2217, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair