STAND. COM. REP. NO. 566

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 930

       S.D. 2

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. 930, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UNCLAIMED PROPERTY OF THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide a means for the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) to void claims for reimbursement of Medicare Part B premiums or any other debt payable that total less than $500 and are older than ten years.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund Board of Trustees.

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) currently does not have the authority to void claims for insignificant amounts of unclaimed property after a sufficient period of time has passed, and that this measure will provide that authority.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying language providing that if the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) cannot locate the employee-beneficiary or other person or entity entitled to payment, further payment shall be forfeited to the fund if the total amount is less than $500 and shall not escheat under the laws of any state, subject to certain conditions.

     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. 930, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 930, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair