STAND. COM. REP. NO. 932

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 270

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 270, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INCOME,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve wage and hour laws and compliance with those laws.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to submit an annual report regarding enforcement of the wage and hour law, including information on the complaints filed, investigatory actions taken, violations found, and penalties collected;

(2) Requires the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish investigation standards to protect employees who report labor law violations; and

(3) Requires the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a program to provide education on wage and hours laws.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada, Local 665; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and five individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Restaurant Association, Magics Beach Grill, and Tiki's Grill and Bar.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Democratic Party of Hawaii Labor Caucus, Hawaii Ironworkers Stabilization Fund, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Save Medicaid Hawaii, Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, Imua Alliance, Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, Hawaii Workers Center, and sixteen individuals.

Your Committee finds that requiring the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to submit a report regarding enforcement of the wage and hour law will help the Legislature to develop policies to improve wages and compliance with state employment laws.

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. 270, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair