STAND. COM. REP. NO.  366-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 665

      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 Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 665, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to include the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) in the State's collective bargaining process by granting:

     (1)  Collective bargaining rights to OHA officers and employees; and

     (2)  Voting rights to OHA as a public employer.

The Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO testified in support of this measure.  OHA and one individual testified in opposition.  The Office of Collective Bargaining and the Department of Budget and Finance provided comments.

     Your Committee notes that questions were raised regarding the role unions would play should OHA dissolve and a Native Hawaiian government arise.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 665, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair