STAND. COM. REP. NO. 364-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1998

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1998 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the court to order the forfeiture of certain Employees' Retirement System benefits for state or county employees, their designated beneficiaries, and retirees who are convicted of an employment-related felony.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Common Cause Hawaii and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Resources of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that public service is a public trust. It is critical for people to have confidence in the integrity of government and public employees. When public officers and employees breach the public trust, this erodes the public's trust in the foundations of government. Your Committee notes that this measure is an important step toward ensuring greater ethics reform in State and county government.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

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. 1998, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1998, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair