STAND. COM. REP. NO.  682-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2161

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2161, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DISABILITY COMPENSATION DIVISION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expedite hearings, decisions, and resolutions of workers' compensation claims by appropriating funds to:

     (1)  Hire six full-time equivalent hearings officer positions and support staff within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations' Disability Compensation Division; and

     (2)  Provide the hearings officers and staff with legal and medical training.

The Department of Human Resources Development, Hawaii Injured Workers Association, Pacific Resource Partnership, The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, ILWU Local 142, Work Injury Medical Association of Hawaii, and two individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations commented on this measure.

     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. 2161, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair