HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1643
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Indebtedness.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 78-12, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows:

"(e) If the indebtedness has occurred as a result of salary or wage overpayment, the disbursing officer shall determine the amount of indebtedness and notify the employee in writing of the indebtedness[;] within sixty days; provided that, to be an actionable cause of action, the determination [and notice to the employee] shall be made within two years from the date of the salary or wage overpayment, and not after. If the employee contests the disbursing officer's determination of indebtedness, the employee may request a hearing pursuant to chapter 91.

(f) Regardless of whether a contested determination of indebtedness is pending, the disbursing officer shall commence immediate recovery of the indebtedness as provided in this subsection. [If the indebtedness is equal to or less than $1,000, the disbursing officer shall immediately deduct from any subsequent periodic payment normally due the employee any amount up to the total amount of indebtedness and for indebtedness greater than $1,000, the] The disbursing officer shall deduct:

(1) An amount agreed to by the employee and the appointing authority, but not less than [$100] $50 per pay period; or

(2) [One-quarter] Five per cent of the salary, wages, or compensation due the employee until the indebtedness is repaid in full.

In addition to paragraph (1), an employee and the appointing authority may agree to offset any remaining amount of indebtedness by applying the current value of appropriate leave or compensatory time credits posted in the employee's respective accounts as balances that would otherwise be payable in cash upon separation from service; provided that credits shall not be applied to any extent that would require a refund of any moneys already deducted or repaid or that would require the payment of any moneys to the employee equivalent to a cashing out of leave or compensatory time credits."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Indebtedness; Salary or Wage Overpayment; Cause of Action; Deductions for Recovery

Description:

Shortens the time within which a disbursing officer must notify an employee of indebtedness to the government resulting from salary or wage overpayment. Amends the criteria for an actionable cause of action. Amends the amount a disbursing officer shall deduct to begin immediate recovery of indebtedness.

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