STAND. COM. REP. NO. 529

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 447

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 447 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PILOT PROGRAM,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to, for recruitments initiated before July 1, 2028, establish a hiring pilot program within the Department of Health, which includes an amended hiring procedure for delegated position classifications, certain flexibilities regarding minimum qualifications for positions having a salary range at or below SR-10, the ability to directly hire certain individuals into a civil service position if certain conditions are met, and the authority to make certain temporary appointments at the merited civil service pay scale without step limitation.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and one individual.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Resources Development.

Your Committees find that addressing shortages in the State's public health workforce is in the public interest and a key priority for the State. Your Committees further find that in September 2024, the Department of Health reported nine hundred vacant positions, which impedes the State's ability to quickly assess public health issues, develop effective public health policy, and instill confidence in residents about Hawaii's ability to protect their health and well-being. Your Committees additionally find that if the Director of Health had express authority over certain human resources matters, the Department of Health may be able to more expeditiously address public health issues facing the State. This measure increases the efficiency of the hiring process by requiring the delegation of certain human resources services to the Department of Health until June 30, 2028.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 447 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology,

________________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair