STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3326

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2547

       H.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. 2547, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an emergency appropriation of $736,478 to the Department of Human Services to address the budget shortfall in the general assistance program.

     Written comments in support of this measure were submitted by the Department of Human Services; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Legal Aid Society of Hawaii; and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that, pursuant to the requirements set forth in Article VII, Section 9, of the Hawaii State Constitution, the Governor requested immediate consideration and passage of this bill.  Your Committee also finds that the general assistance program will expend all appropriated funds before the end of the current fiscal year and that the continuance of this program is critical to the needs of the community.  Your Committee further finds that an emergency appropriation is necessary to maintain the services of the Department of Human Services' general assistance program and to prevent further reductions in general assistance payments to general assistance recipients.

     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. 2547, H.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