STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3281

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2494

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2494, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to fund the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund plan premium costs for the employees of collective bargaining unit (10) and for state officers and employees excluded from collective bargaining unit (10).

     More specifically, the measure provides unspecified employer contribution amounts for plan years 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 for the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund health benefit plan premiums for the employees of collective bargaining unit (10) and their excluded counterparts, due to an impasse in negotiations.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the United Public Workers.  Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

     Your Committee finds that the public employers and the United Public Workers are currently at an impasse in negotiations on issues involving the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, and arbitration has been scheduled.  Your Committee also finds that, should an agreement be reached on Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund health benefit plan premium contribution amounts prior to the scheduled arbitration hearing, this measure will provide a vehicle to implement pending collective bargaining agreements for the employees of collective bargaining unit (10) and their excluded counterparts.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying the reference to the excluded employees to whom the provisions of this measure apply; and

     (2)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

     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 H.B. No. 2494, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2494, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair