STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3587

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2016

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2016, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require that public retiree contributions to the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) be paid through either withholding of retirement benefit amounts from the Employees' Retirement System (ERS) or through automatic electronic payments.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from one individual.  Written comments were received from the EUTF and the ERS.

     Your Committee believes that this measure will integrate the functions of the EUTF and the ERS to ensure that public retirees will enjoy uninterrupted medical coverage.

     Your Committee notes that the EUTF and the ERS have proposed amendments to this measure and requests that the subject matter committees review the proposed amendments as this measure moves forward through the legislative process.

     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. 2016, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair