STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1344
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2023
RE: S.B. No. 313
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2023
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 313 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Reduce the number of members on the State Rehabilitation Council from twenty-one to fifteen; and
(2) Authorize the State Rehabilitation Council to establish quorum and conduct business without regard to vacancies.
Your Committee finds that section 105 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, requires consumers, advocates, and other representatives of individuals with disabilities to participate in the administration and oversight of a state's Vocational Rehabilitation program. Under federal regulations, each State Rehabilitation Council must consist of at least fifteen members. Your Committee further finds that the Hawaii State Rehabilitation Council is statutorily required to have twenty-one members and has had difficulties recruiting and filling all twenty-one seats, resulting in difficulties meeting quorum requirements and hindering decision-making. This measure will allow the State Rehabilitation Council to fulfill its mission and retain federal Vocational Rehabilitation funding by reducing the number of statutorily required members from twenty-one to fifteen.
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. 313 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,
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____________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair |
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