STAND. COM. REP. NO.  626

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 921

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 H.B. No. 921 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS APPEALS BOARD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to enhance the processing of workers' compensation appeals by authorizing:

     (1)  The Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board to take appropriate action to enforce its rules and orders, including the imposition of administrative and monetary sanctions; and

     (2)  Workers' compensation litigants to file electronic notices of appeal with the appellate court.  

The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and ILWU Local 142 testified in support of this measure.  The Chairperson of the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board provided comments.

Your Committee finds that this measure promotes the efficient processing of workers' compensation appeals by providing the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board express authority to enforce its rules and orders.  Further, authorizing workers' compensation litigants to electronically file notices of appeal will improve government processes and increase productivity through the use of available technology.

     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 H.B. No. 921 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair