STAND. COM. REP. NO. 721

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 102

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 102 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE FEDERAL FUNDING POLICY STUDY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to address the federal funding policy study mandated by Act 225, Session Laws of Hawaii 2016.

     More specifically, this measure amends Act 225, Session Laws of Hawaii 2016, by:

     (1)  Changing the agency responsible for preparing the federal funding policy study from the Office of the Governor to the Department of Budget and Finance;

     (2)  Extending the fiscal period to be covered by the study and the deadline for the study's submission to the Governor and Legislature; and

     (3)  Amending the appropriation to conform to the change of agency and applicable fiscal year.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

     Your Committee finds that Act 225, Session Laws of Hawaii 2016, required the Office of the Governor to conduct a federal funding policy study.  The purpose of this study was to provide state public policymakers with information regarding the possible consequences of major reductions in federal funding of state government programs and projects, and to spur the development of policies to reduce the dependence of state government on federal funds.  Your Committee further finds that the Department of Budget and Finance, specifically the Office of Federal Awards Management, is more appropriate than the Office of the Governor to conduct the federal funding policy study.

     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 S.B. No. 102 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair