STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1596

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   S.B. No. 1057

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 1057, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMPLOYER UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND CONTRIBUTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to fulfill the Legislature's responsibility to establish public employer contribution amounts to the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund if an impasse occurs in a collective bargaining negotiation.

     Specifically, the measure establishes employer contribution amounts for plan years 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 for Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) health benefit plan premiums for the employees of collective bargaining unit (10) and their excluded counterparts.

The Department of Budget and Finance and a concerned individual supported this measure.  The United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO opposed this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the public employer contribution amounts for plan years 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 to the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to unspecified amounts;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, to promote further discussion;

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1057, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1057, S.D. 2, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair