STAND. COM. REP. NO. 862

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 192

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 192 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Department of Human Services to administer and provide public assistance during Governor-declared states of emergency.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Primary Care Association and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant economic hardship to numerous residents of the State, many of whom do not qualify for public assistance. Your Committee acknowledges that the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing and that similar emergency-caused economic hardships may occur in the future. Accordingly, your Committee believes that it is appropriate for the Department of Human Services to provide public assistance during Governor-declared states of emergency to those residents who meet the eligibility criteria enumerated in this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 192, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 192, S.D. 1.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair