STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2718

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2178

       S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 2178, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to conduct a study to evaluate the current asset limits for public assistance programs, including the temporary assistance for needy families program, and assess the potential effects of changing the asset limits on those programs.

     In addition, this measure requires the Department of Human Services to submit its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2013.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the study required by this measure will provide a better understanding of the potential effects that changing asset limits would have on public assistance programs administered by the Department of Human Services.  The findings and recommendations submitted to the Legislature by the Department of Human Services will assist the Legislature in setting future policy on this important issue.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

     (2)  Making technical nonsubstantive changes for 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 S.B. No. 2178, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2178, S.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair