STAND. COM. REP. NO. 388

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 192

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, 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 allow the Department of Human Services to administer and provide public assistance to eligible residents of the State during a governor-declared state of emergency.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated emergency action by the State to protect the health of Hawaii's residents and slow the spread of COVID-19. Your Committee further finds that COVID-19 and the necessary response have resulted in significant economic hardship to the people of Hawaii. Your Committee additionally finds that, even after the emergency response to COVID-19 is no longer necessary, future outbreaks and other public health disasters may require similar emergency responses from the State. This measure will allow the Department of Human Services to administer and provide public assistance to eligible residents during a declared state of emergency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 192 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair