STAND. COM. REP. NO.  392

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 734

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 734, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY POVERTY REDUCTION TASK FORCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to address the issue of poverty in Hawaii by establishing the Economic Opportunity Poverty Reduction Task Force (Task Force) to study and evaluate issues relating to poverty, and develop a strategic, integrated, and comprehensive plan to expand economic opportunities and reduce, by at least 50 percent by 2021, the number of Hawaii residents living in poverty.

     A concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  A concerned individual submitted comments.

     Your Committee emphasizes that there are no appropriations being requested nor required for this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Changing the makeup of the membership of the Task Force by:

(A)  Reducing the number of members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House to one and eliminating the process by which the Speaker of the House acquires nominees;

(B)  Reducing the number of members of the Senate appointed by the Senate President to one and eliminating the process by which the Senate President acquires nominees;

(C)  Adding one member of a community organization with expertise in poverty reduction or asset building chosen by the Speaker of the House from a list of three organizations submitted by the Majority Leader of the House; and

(D)  Adding one member of a community organization with expertise in poverty reduction or asset building chosen by the Senate President from a list of three organizations submitted by the Majority Leader of the Senate;

(2)  Allowing instead of requiring the Task Force to appoint subcommittees to advise the Task Force in completing its duties;

(3)  Changing the due dates for the submission of an annual written report prepared by the Task Force to the Legislature to December 22, 2011, and December 22, 2012;

(4)  Changing the termination date of the Task Force to December 22, 2012;

(5)  Removing the appropriation for operational expenses of the Task Force; and   

(6)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for consistency, clarity, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 734, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 734, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair