STAND. COM. REP. NO. 897-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2474

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2474, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY WORKERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to include telecommunications dispatchers within the definition of "emergency worker" in the Hawaii Penal Code, which will provide heightened penalties for any person who commits the offense of assault against a telecommunications dispatcher during an emergency period.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Police Department; Maui Police Department; Hawaii Fire Department of the County of Hawaii; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Homeland Security.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2474, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair