STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1244

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 925

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 925 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY APPEALS REFEREE'S OFFICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to streamline the unemployment insurance appeals process.

     Specifically, the measure:

     (1)  Reduces the period for mailing notice of the initial hearing date for unemployment insurance appeals; and

     (2)  Provides a claimant or party to an appeal with the option to receive notices and appeal documents from the Employment Security Appeals Referee's Office electronically in lieu of mail.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

     Your Committee finds that section 91-9.5(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires written notice of a hearing to be provided by mail at least fifteen days prior to the hearing date, unless otherwise provided by law.  This measure shortens the notice period for unemployment insurance appeals by requiring the notice to be mailed at least twelve days prior to the initial hearing date, allowing the parties to receive an earlier hearing and appeal decision.  In addition, this measure will streamline and expedite the delivery of appeal notices and documents through quicker and cost-effective electronic means.

     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. 925, 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