STAND. COM. REP. NO.  690

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 913

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 913, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL COVERAGE FOR FIREFIGHTERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide expanded, employer-financed medical, disability indemnity, and death benefits to firefighters who develop cancer as a result of exposure to carcinogens in the line of duty.

Hawaii State Fire Council; Honolulu Fire Department; Hawaii Fire Department of the County of Hawaii; Kauai Fire Department; Maui Fire Department; Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, Local 1463, IAFF, AFL-CIO; and one individual testified in support of this measure.  The Department of the Attorney General, City and County of Honolulu Department of Human Resources, and State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, Employees' Retirement System, and Hawaii Medical Service Association provided comments.

     Your Committee notes that the Department of the Attorney General has concerns regarding the title of this measure because this measure covers disability indemnification and death benefits in addition to medical coverage.  However, your Committee finds that the issue addressed in this measure warrants further discussion between the affected parties.

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     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. 913, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 913, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair