STAND. COM. REP. NO. 930-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2273

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 Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2273, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WAGES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the penalty for violations of the wages and hours laws by making violations a class C felony.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that state labor laws should protect workers from employers who fail to pay their employees. Your Committee further finds that other states have recently enacted legislation providing for criminal penalties for employers who willfully commit wage theft. This measure will increase protections for Hawaii's workers by increasing the penalty for violations of the wages and hours law.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2273, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair