STAND. COM. REP. NO. 625

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1349

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 1349 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOURS OF WORK,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize staggered work weeks for public employees.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Honolulu Police Department and Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Resources Development.

Your Committee finds that offering public employees the option of a flexible work schedule through staggered work hours will benefit families, communities, the environment, and the economy. Some of the benefits include less traffic on the roads during peak commute times, shorter commute times, less pollution, more time at home with family, and more opportunities to enjoy the island lifestyle. This measure will allow public employees to choose a work schedule with staggered work hours, which will help alleviate traffic congestion and facilitate an overall better quality of life.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of January 1, 2051, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1349, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1349, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts,

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BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair