STAND. COM. REP. NO. 869

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 88

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 88 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the payment of allowances for TRICARE, TRICARE dental, and vision coverage for all officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel of the Hawaii National Guard who are ordered to active duty for more than thirty days.

Your Committees received written comments in support of this measure from the state Department of Defense, Hawaii National Guard, and two individuals.

Your Committees find that some National Guard servicemembers lose healthcare coverage under their civilian employers when the servicemembers are required to take an indefinite leave of absence for active duty military service. Your Committees believe that the medical, dental, and vision coverage authorized by this measure will help act as a safeguard for Hawaii National Guard servicemembers and their families when the servicemembers are called to an extended period of active duty in service of the State.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 88 and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection,

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair