STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1523

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 111

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 S.C.R. No. 111 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON AGING TO CONTINUE ITS RESEARCH OF THE TIMEBANKING CONCEPT FOR HAWAII'S RESPITE SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to support the coordination of a statewide system of aging and caregiver support services in the State.

     More specifically, this measure requests the Executive Office on Aging to:

(1)  Continue its research on timebanking as a sustainable and alternative currency system that will enhance and strengthen Hawaii's respite system; and

(2)  Submit a report on its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2014.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging.

     Your Committee finds that alternative forms of currency to support increasing community needs for respite care services improve many identified service gaps.  Accordingly, your Committee finds that timebanking may offer a more sustainable provision of social services and that further research and investigation is needed to determine its viability.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 111 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair